Helter Skelter » ven harder to guard because their big guys are

WASHINGTON -- Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper showed plenty of pop Thursday in his first on-field batting practice since undergoing ligament surgery on his left thumb last month. "Honestly, we almost ran out of baseballs," manager Matt Williams said. "Between he and Wilson (Ramos), whoever gets in the park first today and goes to the outfield will have lots of souvenirs." Williams said Harper will begin a minor league rehab assignment after the Nationals begin a road trip next week. "Im still trying to see where my swings at. ... I dont see myself coming back after five games or four games," Harper said. "I really want to push it and see how I feel after eight, nine games down there. If I feel good before that, then Ill see where Im at." Williams will have to do some shuffling when Harper returns. Ryan Zimmerman, whose chronic shoulder problems have moved him off third base, has been playing in Harpers spot in left field. Williams originally said Zimmerman will move back to third, but now the manager says he will move players around depending on matchups and to give players rest. Zimmerman could be playing first base, third base or left field, while Harper will be used in all three outfield positions. Anthony Rendon will shuffle between second base and third base. "It doesnt really matter to me. I just want to play," Harper said. "I just want to be in the lineup and hopefully I can come back and help the team win." The Nationals have been playing well recently in Harpers absence, moving into first place in the NL East ahead of Thursdays opener of a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves. "One through nine, everyones swinging it really, really well right now. Were playing well. Im the odd man out, I guess," he joked. Lars Eller Jersey . Henrik Samuelsson and Luke Bertolucci also scored for the Oil Kings, who are now 9-0 on home ice in the playoffs to cut Portlands series lead to 2-1. Chase De Leo and Mathew Dumba responded for the Winterhawks, who suffered just their fourth loss in their last 46 games, a string of success running all the way back to Jan. Dennis Maruk Jersey .L. - Defending womens champion Alberta improved to 3-0 at the Canadian junior curling championships with a 10-3 win over Ontario in Sundays afternoon draw. http://www.officialcapitalsfanstore.com/...apitals-jersey/. JOHNS, N. Alex Ovechkin Jersey . It was a loss. But it was also a learning experience. Deron Williams and Joe Johnson had 24 points each to lift Brooklyn to a 94-87 win over the Raptors, making their first playoff appearance since 08. "I thought we played a little bit as expected as it is our first playoff game," Toronto coach Dwane Casey said. Nicklas Backstrom Jersey . The 22-year-old Spanish midfielder recently signed a new three-year contract with Chelsea, and after spending last season on loan with Valencia in La Liga, Romeu will move to the Bundesliga for the 2014-15 campaign.ORLANDO, Fla. - Jodie Meeks got loose on the perimeter for nine 3-pointers Tuesday night. And with Andre Drummond dominating inside, that was more than enough for the Detroit Pistons to roll to their third straight victory.Meeks scored a season-high 34 points off the bench, shooting 9 for 11 from behind the arc, and Drummond added 17 points and 22 rebounds in a 109-86 win over the Orlando Magic.Meeks finished 11 for 16 overall in posting the highest-scoring game for any Pistons player this season.I just took what was open, Meeks said. Tonight it was me, but ... this is how the offence is supposed to be run. Maybe we had success one game and now were going to do it. Were playing well right now.Drummond, the NBAs No. 2 rebounder, sat out the final 14 minutes after coming within three rebounds of the leagues season high. He was the only Detroit starter to score in double figures.Reserve guard D.J. Augustin had 11 points and 10 assists for the Pistons (8-23), who have won three straight for the first time since February last season.Victor Oladipo led the Magic, who were also seeking a third straight win, with 16 points. Tobias Harris added 15 points and eight rebounds.After Meeks made all six of his 3s in the second quarter and scored 20 points in the period, the Pistons opened an 18-point lead in the third quarter. The Magic never again got the deficit under nine.Meeks first points came on a 3 early in the second quarter that cut Orlandos lead tto 25-24.ddddddddddddHis next field goal, another 3, put the Pistons ahead to stay at 31-29.I think when I hit one, I feel like Im hot, he said. I think a couple shots I knocked down and I tried to hit another one and it went in.The Magic (13-22) never recovered from Meeks big second quarter.He shot the light out, Harris said. It makes them even harder to guard because their big guys are rolling to the basket and weve got to try and stop them, then he keeps making 3s. Its tough.___VAN GUNDYS LAST STANDStan Van Gundy, who coached the Magic for five seasons, said his current position as president and head coach of the Pistons will prove to be his last job. Ive got five years and Ill be 60 and Ive promised my wife, seriously, (that he will retire). I wanted one more shot at it, but Ive got a great owner, a great situation with great tradition and I should be able to get it turned around in the time that hes given me. If I dont, I dont.TIP-INSPistons: It was the fourth time this season Drummond had 20 or more rebounds. ... After going 17 of 31 on 3s in a win at Cleveland on Sunday, the Pistons went 14 for 33 against Orlando, including 9 of 16 in the first half.Magic: Orlando beat the Pistons 107-93 in their previous meeting on Nov. 17 in Detroit. ... After winning only four road games last season, the Magic are 4-10 at home and 9-12 on the road.UP NEXTPistons: Friday night at New York.Magic: Friday night at home against Brooklyn. ' ' '