SPORTS SHORTS

MLB: Seattle deals for righty Gallardo

The Mariners acquired right-handed pitcher Yovani Gal

lardo from the Orioles on Friday in exchange for outfielder Seth Smith. Seattle will also receive cash considerations from the Orioles. Later in the day, the Mariners acquired outfielder Jar

rod Dyson for right-hander Nathan Karns. The 29-yearold Karns was 6-2 with a 5.15 ERA in 15 starts and 22 appearances last season. Dyson hit .278 while serving in a platoon role last season and had 30 stolen bases.

Geovany Soto, the NL Rookie of the Year with the Cubs in 2008, has reached a minor league deal with the White Sox, according to several media reports.

TENNIS: Novak survives, meets Murray in final

Defending champion Novak Djokovic beat Fernando Verdasco in Doha, Qatar and set up a final Saturday against Andy Murray, who topped Tomas Berdych in the other semifinal. Djokovic prevailed 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-3 at the Qatar Open. Murray had no such trouble as he advanced 6-3, 6-4.

NCAA: UNC’s Hood reverses course into draft

North Carolina tailback Elijah Hood has changed his mind and will enter the NFL draft instead of returning for his senior season. Hood announced he would return before the Sun Bowl loss to Stanford on Dec. 30. But in a statement released by the school Friday, Hood said he made the “difficult” reversal after gathering additional information and consulting with his family.

P.J. Fleck is leaving Western Michigan and heading to Minnesota to coach a football team reeling from a threatened boycott of a bowl game and the handling of a sexual assault investigation, both schools announced.

ETC.: NYCFC bring Allen, McNamara

Defender RJ Allen and midfielder Tommy McNamara inked new deals with New York City FC, the team announced.

Ryan Anderson had 19 points, all in the second half, and Eric Gordon scored 17 off the bench as the Rockets extended their winning streak to seven games with a 100-93 victory over the Magic in Orlando, Fla.