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ARLINGTON, Texas -- Nelson Cruz fit right back in with the Texas Rangers after completing his 50-game drug suspension. Bob Cousy Celtics Jersey . The All-Star slugger was reinstated from the restricted list Monday by the Rangers, who immediately put him in their lineup. Cruz batted sixth as the designated hitter for the AL wild-card tiebreaker game against Tampa Bay. "I feel really confident right now," Cruz said before the game. "Im going to enjoy this moment. Happy to be back. Happy to be with my teammates. Its a blessing to see the reception they gave me." Cruz got a warm ovation from Rangers fans when he was introduced before the game, and again when he came to bat for the first time in the second inning. After swinging late on a couple of fastballs from David Price, Cruz lined out to first base. It was the first major league game for Cruz since Aug. 4. That was the day before his suspension stemming from Major League Baseballs investigation of the Biogenesis anti-aging clinic, accused of distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs. Cruz was among 14 players disciplined by MLB this year in the Biogenesis case. Only Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez appealed his suspension. The return of Cruz came eight weeks to the day he was suspended. He has acknowledged publicly that he made "an error in judgment" in the wake of a gastrointestinal infection that wasnt properly diagnosed over a few months before he reported to spring training in 2012. Cruz lost 40 pounds during that time. He has never offered more specifics. After serving his penalty, Cruz is ready to move forward and focus on the field. "I think Ive been doing a pretty good job," he said. "Whatever is going outside of baseball, just keep it outside." Cruz seemed at ease during batting practice, when he hit a few balls over the walls in a session he described as being "OK. It wasnt like great." He was planning to take more cuts in the indoor batting cage. Rays manager Joe Maddon expressed no issue with Cruz being eligible. "My job is to get my players ready. Hes served his punishment, and hes eligible to play. I cant worry about that. I spend most of my energy on things like the bullpen," Maddon said. "We just played A-Rod at home." Texas designated outfielder Joey Butler for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. The Rangers won their last seven scheduled games of the regular season and needed every one of those victories to force the first wild-card tiebreaker in the majors since 2007. A 163rd regular-season game provided a chance for the return of Cruz. Before flying to Texas on Saturday night, he had been playing games against mostly minor leaguers and prospects in the Arizona Instructional League. Cruz finished 9 for 27 with five doubles, a homer and nine RBIs in eight games in Arizona. Once Cruz told manager Ron Washington that he felt good and was loose, the slugger was back in the lineup. "He said he was ready to go. I didnt talk to anyone in (Arizona). I know Nelson Cruz," Washington said. "If you throw something in the wrong spot, I expect to jump up and down. ... Its the threat, its the presence, its what he does for everybody else just being in that lineup." General manager Jon Daniels said Cruz kept himself ready to play "as good as you can." Daniels said the at-bats got batter during that time and that Cruz was swinging the bat well. "All along, we knew were probably a better club with him available," Daniels said. The Rangers were 29-21 without Cruz, who hit .269 with 27 homers and 76 RBIs in 108 games before his suspension. Washington opted to have Cruz as the designated hitter for his return rather than put him in the outfield. The Rangers stuck with hot-hitting Craig Gentry in left, Leonys Martin in centre and Alex Rios in right. Rios was acquired from the Chicago White Sox four days after Cruz was suspended. "The way those three guys out there have been running balls down, Im not changing that right now," Washington said. "Well use Nelsons bat, and his threat." Gordon Hayward Jersey . Louis against the Blues. The Canucks picked up their second straight victory in the swings opener on Tuesday in Calgary before getting routed in Minnesota last night, 5-1. Reggie Lewis Jersey . -- New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has no concerns about the health of shortstop Derek Jeter, who was limited to 17 games last season due to leg injuries. http://www.authenticcelticsproshop.com/Bill-Russell-Jersey/ ., climbed from seventh to fifth spot in womens competition Sunday at the ISU world junior figure skating championships.ATLANTA - The Atlanta Hawks looked ready for the regular season when building a big first-half lead.The concern for coach Mike Budenholzer rose from his teams inability to hold that high level of play.Paul Millsap scored 21 points and the Hawks recovered after losing a fourth-quarter lead to beat the Charlotte Hornets 117-114 in overtime in an exhibition game on Monday night.We all need to get better, Budenholzer said of his team playing significantly below our standards in long stretches in the second half.The Hornets rallied to force overtime after trailing 99-91 late in the fourth period.I like the way it was fought to get back into it, said Charlotte coach Steve Clifford.Elton Brands jumper and two free throws by Thabo Sefolosha gave the Hawks a 116-112 lead. Brian Roberts answered with a jumper to cut the lead to two points. Sefolosha, who had 12 points, made one of two free throws with 2.8 seconds remaining. Charlottes P.J. Hairston missed a last-second 3-pointer.Kyle Korver had 17 points and Mike Scott, who had four 3-pointers, had 16 for Atlanta.Were not putting together 48-minute games, Korver said. Were really good in stretches almost every game, but weve had some really bad stretches offensively.Gary Neal led Charlotte with 21 points, including two free throws with 1:23 remaining in regulation for a 103-101 advantage — the Hornets first lead since late in the opening period.Cody Zeller had 18 points and Kemba Walker had 17 for Charlotte. Hairston had 11.I feel like everything is coming a lot easier to me now, said Hairston, who was acquired from Miami in the off-season. Custom Boston Celtics Jerseys. When I first got here there was a lot of stuff I needed to learn.A basket by Korver and free throw by Millsap gave Atlanta a 104-103 lead. The Hornets pulled even when Zeller made one of two free throws with 15 seconds remaining. Atlantas DeMarre Carroll missed a long jumper at the end of regulation.The Hawks led 58-43 at halftime but were outscored 34-24 in the third period.HORNETS HALF-STRENGTHThe Hornets were without three starters. Al Jefferson rested while Marvin Williams (right elbow contusion) and Lance Stephenson (groin) also were held out. Gerald Henderson (right hamstring) missed his seventh straight preseason game.HORFORD HEALINGAtlantas Al Horford had 10 points with six rebounds. He logged 23 minutes as his playing time increased for the third straight game in his comeback from a torn right pectoral muscle.TIP-INSHornets: Zeller fouled out in overtime. ... Neal had nine rebounds and seven assists as the Hornets took a 52-40 advantage in rebounds. ... Bismack Biyombo had five points and 10 rebounds. ... Roberts had 14 points.Hawks: Atlanta had a 20-0 run that began with the last two baskets of the opening quarter and extended through the first 16 points of the second. ... Backup point guard Dennis Schroder had 12 points and five assists in 24 minutes while Shelvin Mack played only 12 minutes.UP NEXTHornets: Thursday night vs. Indiana.Hawks: Wednesday night at San Antonio. ' ' '