Today's sports briefs: 1-18

Twins dodge arbitration on deals with pitchers Liriano, Perkins

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have agreed to one-year contracts with left-handers Francisco Liriano and Glen Perkins, avoiding arbitration with both players.

Liriano will make $5.5 million this season to lead the rotation, up from $4.3 million in 2011. Perkins will get $1.55 million this year to be the primary setup man, a raise from the $700,000 he made last season.

The deals were done on Tuesday, when teams exchanged proposed 2012 salaries with their arbitration-eligible players.

Twins second baseman Alexi Casilla is also eligible for arbitration, but the two sides can continue to negotiate a contract before the case goes to a hearing next month. The Twins offered $1,065,000 and Casilla asked for $1.75 million. He was paid $865,000 last year.

DWU wrestlers beat Briar Cliff

SIOUX CITY, IOWA — The Dakota Wesleyan University wrestling team won eight of 10 matches in a dual against Briar Cliff Tuesday night.

The Tigers defeated Briar Cliff 36-9 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference dual.

DWU’s Kyle Gerlach (157) and Tyler Sarringar (174) each won by fall. Zach Nelson (125) won by technical fall to open the match.

Dusty Paulsen (141), Nick Hutcheson (165) and Kyle Hoisington (184) each won by decision. Shea Klooser (197) won by major decision and Josh Geppert (285) won by forfeit.

Avon to host basketball jamboree

AVON — There will be a third- and fourth-grade girls’ basketball jamboree on Feb. 11.

There will be separate gyms for each grade and a three-game guarantee. No scores will be kept. Entry fee is $40.

Contact Darla VanGerpen by e-mail at darla.vangerpen@k12.sd.us or call 605-464-1560.

Flyers beat Wild

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Sean Couturier had a short-handed goal to lead a balanced scoring attack and the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Minnesota Wild 5-1 Tuesday night.

Kimmo Timonen, Scott Hartnell, Braydon Coburn and Jakub Voracek also had goals for the Flyers.

Darroll Powe scored against his former team for Minnesota’s goal.

Fisher introduced as Rams coach

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jeff Fisher says he is ready for the challenge in St. Louis.

Fisher was formally introduced as the new coach of the Rams on Tuesday. He also interviewed for the head coaching job at Miami, but went with the rebuilding job in St. Louis.

Fisher says his decision was an easy one because he and the owners share a “collective vision” on how to restore the Rams to what he calls a place of significance.

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