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PHILADELPHIA -- As the years and months dwindle down to precious weeks and days for Ryan Howard in Philadelphia, the signs are trending in a positive direction. Howard is hitting the ball with enough gusto to think he might have a spot on a major league roster somewhere in 2017. The mere suggestion would have seemed ludicrous in late June, when Howard was underwater to the tune of a .140 batting average and a .531 OPS.Phillies fans might even be getting sentimental on him as the end draws near. Last weekend, on Jim Thome Wall of Fame Night at Citizens Bank Park, the crowd summoned Howard from the dugout for a curtain call in response to a grand slam against the Colorado Rockies.Viewed in this context, the latest news out of Major League Baseball was just another item to check off the box in Howards farewell-to-Philly valedictory.At noon Friday, the commissioners office cleared Howard and Washingtons Ryan Zimmerman of any wrongdoing in MLBs investigation of an Al Jazeera report on performance-enhancing drugs in sports. Both players were absolved of any violations of MLBs drug program, and they released statements saying theyre looking forward to a resolution of their ongoing litigation against Al Jazeera.As the Phillies prepared to play St. Louis on Friday, Howard expressed a sense of relief over baseballs decision.Im just glad its behind me, Howard said. Thats about it. The process is the process. Im glad its behind me and I can move forward and just focus on playing baseball.The MLB investigation was just another obstacle in a trying season for Howard. Boos abounded during his early struggles, and he hit rock-bottom in early June when a miscreant fan threw a beer bottle in his direction. A few days later, Phillies manager Pete Mackanin told Howard that Tommy Joseph was the teams new starting first baseman and Howard would have to adjust to coming off the bench.Howard had two ways to go: He could wallow in self-pity and become a negative force, or continue to plug away and maintain a positive attitude in a clubhouse filled with young players. Howards conscious choice to take the high road was a reflection of his character and professionalism.In June, Howard appeared at Citizens Bank Park with his wife, Krystle, for a childrens book reading before a game. A month later, he opened up a 7,500-square-foot youth training center in Philadelphia through his foundation. His underwhelming stats and the injuries show that Howard hasnt lived up to his $125 million contract by any stretch of the imagination. But hes never brought his baggage into the clubhouse or lost sight of the responsibilities that come along with being a longtime star athlete in a community.Its been a tough year, and Im sure its weighed on him a lot, said Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp. Its the last year of his contract, and Im sure there were many things going through his mind with the way he was treated here by the fans. But he handled it with nothing but professionalism and stayed with it. To see him bust out of it and kill it for the past month, its been fun to watch.This is the Ryan Howard everybody saw when he was winning (the MVP) and hitting 50 home runs a year. This is the Ryan Howard they grew to love, and they stayed with him for the most part. He hit some rough patches. Thats part of the game. But he never got out of being Ryan. For all the stuff hes gone through off the field, youd never know.The numbers, even in a small sample size, are startling. In August, entering Fridays game, Howard is hitting .419 (13-for-31) with a .968 slugging percentage and a 1.422 OPS. With his recent hot streak, he moved into a tie with Carlton Fisk for 75th place on MLBs career list with 376 home runs. Next up: Norm Cash and Jeff Kent at 377.As the Phillies play out the string en route to their fourth straight sub-.500 season, its only natural to wonder if an American League team in need of a power bat off the bench might consider trading for Howard in August. He wont have any trouble clearing waivers, so thats one potential impediment out of the way. .If he keeps hitting like hes hitting, somebodys going to want him, Mackanin said. Im happy for him. I didnt like telling Howie hes not going to play as much. Its not fun doing that kind of thing. But the bottom line is, I pull for him. Hes a great guy. Id like to see him succeed and go on to play as long as hed like to play.Barring a surprise of cosmic magnitude, Ryan Howard wont be back in Philadelphia in 2017, but at least he has a chance to go out on positive terms. There will be a few more standing ovations before he says goodbye. Guy Lafleur Canadiens Jersey .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check. Max Domi Jersey . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. http://www.canadienssale.com/authentic-saku-koivu-canadiens-jersey/ . Duchene scored two goals and had an assist, helping the Colorado Avalanche beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 on Friday night to match the best 10-game start in team history. Bob Gainey Jersey . The CFLs leading rusher kept adding to his gaudy numbers this season and scored the winning touchdown with just over two minutes to play. The New Westminster, B.C., native plowed three yards into the end zone for the last score of a heated, see-saw battle between the two teams with the best records in the CFL. Karl Alzner Canadiens Jersey . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. BOSTON -- It took Steven Wright an inning Friday night to shake off the rust of three weeks spent on the disabled list.That was all the Kansas City Royals needed to spoil his return.Wright gave up five runs -- including two homers -- in the first inning, and the Royals held on for a 6-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox.I think I got a little antsy, too much adrenaline in that first inning, said Wright (13-6), who took the loss in his first game back off the DL with a right shoulder strain. The walks killed me.Wright settled down and gave up just three runs after the first inning. He lost despite going at least six innings for the 10th time in 15 starts. Before Friday he had not allowed more than one home run in any of his previous 26 starts, which was the fourth-longest active streak in the majors.It also had been the longest by a Red Sox pitcher since Pedro Martinez did it over 44 starts.Mookie Betts had five hits and two RBI for the Red Sox. Dustin Pedroia added four hits and an RBI.Thats just how it goes sometimes, Betts said. Sometimes we score the ones were not expecting and then when we you need to score, sometimes it just doesnt happen.Eric Hosmer and Alex Gordon homered, and Ian Kennedy allowed one run through five innings to get the win as the Royals continued their monthlong hot streak.Kansas City has won 11 of its last 12 games and is 18-6 in August.Kennedy (9-9) had a chance to set a club record by allowing one or fewer runs in six straight outings of at least six innings. But he left with a runner on after 5 1/3 innings and wound up charged for two earned runs in the game. He finished with nine strikeouts.Kelvin Herrera earned his 10th save.Lorenzo Cain added a solo homer in the eighth inning.Honestly, you just have to swing hard and hope the ball doesnt break. But if it does, it breaks into your bat, Hosmer said of the knuckleball.The Royals jumped on Wright at the outset, taking a 5-0 lead in the first inning on a three-run shot by Hosmer, followed quickly by a two-run blast by Gordon.Boston had three hits and got one run back in its half of first. It had a chance tto add more after loading the bases with one out, but the potential rally stalled when Sandy Leon and Jackie Bradley, Jr.dddddddddddd both struck out.Despite the loss, manager John Farrell said he is encouraged by this teams offensive effort.We continually do a great job of creating opportunities, he said. And Im confident that this will turn. I cant say we expanded the strike zone with men in scoring position or the bases loaded. Kennedy challenged us. And we came up empty.TRAINERS ROOMRoyals: RHP Wade Davis (right flexor strain) is expected to throw for Triple-A Omaha on Saturday, and then possibly again on Monday. Manager Ned Yost said he doesnt anticipate him returning before Sept. 1.Red Sox: Rookie LF Andrew Benintendi went through another series of tests Friday which reaffirmed the original diagnosis of no structural damage to his sprained left knee. He was hurt during Bostons loss to the Rays Wednesday night when he tried to avoid a tag while running toward second base. Farrell said he is optimistic about an injury that could have been much, much worse. Benintendi was walking around the clubhouse with no brace Friday. Obviously its something you dont plan on, he said. Its unfortunate that it happened and Im just going to try to get as healthy as possible as quickly as I can. ... RHP Koji Uehara, who has been on the DL since July 20 with right pectoral sprain, threw a bullpen session Friday.UP NEXTRoyals: LHP Danny Duffy (11-1, 2.66 ERA) will make his 20th start of the season and 100th of his career on Saturday. He earned his 10th straight win in Kansas Citys 2-1 win over Minnesota on Sunday, holding the Twins to one run and eight hits. His next strikeout will be the 500th of his career.Red Sox: LHP David Price (12-8, 4.00) leads the majors with nine starts of at least eight innings this season. His 2.01 career ERA against the Royals is the third-lowest among active pitchers.---Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightower ' ' '