ayer from Calgary matched first-round leader Rodriguez at

JUPITER, Fla. -- Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper was ejected Wednesday after being called out at first base in a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Harper led off the fourth inning with a slow roller that second baseman Mark Ellis barehanded and flipped to first. The throw appeared to beat Harper and umpire Jeff Gosney called him out. The 21-year-old Harper kept his head down, screaming his displeasure as he passed Gosney on his way to the third-base dugout. Gosney threw out Harper, who didnt seem to initially realize hed been ejected. Nationals manager Matt Williams said he asked third base umpire C.B. Bucknor whether they could wait until the end of the inning before Harper had to leave the dugout. Williams said the crew wanted the All-Star outfielder to go immediately. "I just didnt want him to be embarrassed by him having to walk in front of everybody down the line," Williams said. The game was briefly delayed while Harper gathered his belongings and walked to the visiting clubhouse beyond the left-field wall. Fans extended their pens and papers requesting autographs as Harper passed the corner of the left-field bleachers that sit about 10 feet from the foul line. "We love the way he plays the game because he plays all out and he desperately wants to win so we love that about him," Williams said. "In a situation like that, he has to not take it too far, thats all." "The umpire told me that (Harper) said something to him," he said. "The question I had is, Did he say something? I didnt see him make a gesture to him or anything, but he said the magic word." The Nationals didnt make Harper available for comment. "I dont know what (Harper) said to him, but as he was walking off the field I said to him, That was a great at-bat, because it was," Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright said. "He fouled off a bunch of pitches," he said. "He kind of turned away and started walking off, then he looked back and said, Thanks, by the way." Yadier Molina drove in all three Cardinals runs. Trevor Rosenthal worked around a two-out triple to earn the save. STARTING TIME Nationals: Washington has yet to make a decision on its fifth starter. Tanner Roark and Taylor Jordan, the two competitors for the spot, will both pitch in the Nationals exhibition against Detroit on Sunday in Washington. Cardinals: Wainwright threw five scoreless innings of one hit ball to cap his spring. The Cardinals opening day starter allowed four runs in 22 2-3 Grapefruit League innings, striking out 18 while walking one. "Im ready for them to start counting," he said. "I feel good. Spring has flown by. Ive had a lot of fun down here and now its time to get going." TRAINERS ROOM Cardinals: Manager Mike Matheny doesnt expect injured pitchers Jaime Garcia and Jason Motte to make the trip north with the club for the Cardinals exhibition game at Triple-A Memphis on Friday. Matheny also wasnt sure whether the two pitchers will be part of St. Louis home-opener festivities. Nationals: Washington pitcher Doug Fister will start a minor league game on Thursday as he tries to build up his pitch count. He battled elbow inflammation earlier this spring but is scheduled to start the season with the major league club. AARDSMA ABOARD Newly signed reliever David Aardsma made his first appearance for St. Louis, allowing one hit and walking one in a scoreless inning of work. The Cardinals have spent much of spring searching for their final bullpen arm and the 32-year-old right-hander likely leaps to the front of a list of candidates that includes Kevin Butler, Scott McGregor and Jorge Rondon. Aardsma began the spring with Cleveland as a non-roster invitee. He is 23-15 with 69 saves and a 4.23 ERA during a seven-year major league career. EXTRA SWINGS Washington left third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and first baseman Adam LaRoche at their spring training complex so that the pair could get multiple at-bats in minor league games. Russell Martin Dodgers Jersey . Brassard and Coyotes defenceman Derek Morris were battling for position in the crease when a nudge from Morris sent Brassard on top of Smith late in the third period. Clayton Kershaw Jersey .The Los Angeles Lakers star passed Michael Jordan for third on the NBAs career scoring list Sunday night in a 100-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. http://www.ladodgersprostore.us/Hyun-Jin-Ryu-dodgers-jersey/ .ca. In Sundays Blackhawks-Penguins game, Pittsburgh defenceman Brooks Orpik laid a huge hit on Chicagos Jonathan Toews. Now in my view, Orpik can be clearly seen leaving his feet while delivering a moderately high hit. Justin Turner Womens Jersey . Ben Street scored twice for the Heat (17-5-1), who won their fourth game in a row and 13th in their last 14 outings. Brett Bulmer scored the lone goal for the Wild (6-11-0), who dropped their sixth straight contest. Joc Pederson Dodgers Jersey . You can catch all of the action LIVE on TSN2 at 6pm et/3pm pt. The Heat reached that mark Saturday night when they ruined the Philadelphia 76ers home opener.HALIFAX -- Canadas Roger Sloan shot a 6-under 65 on Friday for a share of the second-round lead with Mexicos Jose de Jesus Rodriguez in the Web.com Tours Nova Scotia Open. The 27-year-old Sloan, a former Texas-El Paso player from Calgary matched first-round leader Rodriguez at 10-under 132 on Ashburn Golf Clubs New Course. Sloan hit 13 of 14 fairways and 14 of 18 greens. "You really have to set up the next shot and you have to be conscious of the slope of the greens and where the pin is located," Sloan said. "Its fun to play golf like that because this year Mothher Nature has given us some pretty soft courses and it becomes a putting contest.dddddddddddd Out here its a battle. You have to be aware of where your ball is going at all times." Rodriguez followed his opening 63 with a 69. "It was a good day. I hit it very good again," Rodriguez said. "I lose two putts from 1 metre. The one on No. 10 was 2 feet, straight up. It was an easy putt but I moved my head. Its OK. Its golf." American Zack Sucher and Englands David Skinns were tied for third at 7 under. Sucher shot 66, and Skinns had a 70. ' ' '