Harper hurts hamstring

Nationals star Bryce Harper strained his left hamstring while taking an awkward tumble making a throw, and Washington lost to the Tampa Bay Rays, 5-3, on Thursday night in D.C. Manager Matt Williams said Harper had a mild strain and would be evaluated Friday. There was no estimate on how long Harper might be out.

Harper held his left leg while down on the ground for a few minutes and then gingerly walked off the field under his own power.

DUNCAN BILKED

The promise of a multimillion-dollar contract won’t be a factor in whether Tim Duncan returns for his 19th NBA season, even though the San Antonio Spurs’ AllStar lost more than $20 million to what he says is a dishonest financial adviser.

“Luckily I had a long career and made good money,” the 39-year-old Duncan, who has been paid about $220 million over his career, said in a telephone interview with Bloomberg.

In January, Duncan sued his former financial adviser, Charles Banks, accusing him of pushing him into investments despite conflicts of interest that ultimately caused substantial loss.

CARDS EXEC BLAMES ROGUES FOR HACK

St. Louis Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. is blaming “rogue” behavior on the team’s involvement in the alleged hacking of the Houston Astros’ player personnel database.

DeWitt said Thursday the team was still investigating the matter but said a handful of individuals in the organization were responsible.

DeWitt said he had “no knowledge” of the hacking before being informed by FBI investigators early this year.

FORMER HEISMAN WINNER DEAD

John David Crow, the bruising running back who won the 1957 Heisman Trophy with Texas A&M before a Pro Bowl career in the NFL, died Wednesday night, the university announced. He was 79.