their first campaign in this tournament. But the second half was different and we played more like our natural selves.Benfica waas in control for most of the match at the Estadio da Luz, but allowed some chan

CHICAGO -- Michael Conforto is hoping a short stay in Las Vegas turns into a strong finish with the New York Mets.Conforto rejoined the Mets before the start of a three-game series against the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs. The 10th overall pick in the 2014 amateur draft was recalled when Brandon Nimmo, another young outfielder, was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas after Sundays 5-0 win at Philadelphia.Also Monday, Mets right-hander Matt Harvey had season-ending thoracic outlet surgery in St. Louis. Harvey finishes the year with a 4-10 record and a 4.86 ERA after going 13-8 with a 2.71 ERA in 2015.The 23-year-old Conforto made his major league debut last year and hit .270 with nine homers and 26 RBI in 56 games, helping the Mets win the NL East and make it all the way to the World Series. He then homered twice in Game 4 against Kansas City.Conforto was expected to be a key contributor this year and got off to a nice start. But he was sent down on June 25 after a prolonged slump.It was a very productive couple of weeks, 16 games or so, Conforto said. I think there was a period of obviously being upset and youve got to go through that. As soon as I turned it into an opportunity to work on some things, to get some things done and take a look at what happened over the course of the prior couple months, I think I really look a couple big steps forward.Conforto hit .344 with three homers in 16 games with Las Vegas, earning a quick return to the majors. He pinch hit in the ninth inning of New Yorks 5-1 loss on Monday night and reached on an opposite-field single to left.I think its a testament to what Ive been working on, he said. Ive been trying to use the whole field like I did last year and earlier in the year. So I think its definitely a product of the things Ive been working on.Manager Terry Collins mentioned Conforto, Juan Lagares and Curtis Granderson as possible options in center after Yoenis Cespedes told reporters over the weekend he would prefer to stay in left for the rest of the year. Cespedes, who leads the team with 21 homers and 52 RBI, has been hampered recently by a strained right quadriceps.Cespedes was in left for the series opener against the Cubs. He cut down Willson Contreras with a perfect throw to the plate in the third, but also committed an ugly error when Albert Almora Jr.s single skipped by him in the eighth.Collins said he thought Cespedes was being cautious in the field and it could affect his plans to play him in center on Tuesday.Im going to certainly talk to him in the morning or when he gets here tomorrow, Collins said.Speaking before the game, Collins made it sound as if he planned to keep Cespedes in left for most of the remaining part of the season.Weve got to keep him in the lineup, Collins said. I think were taxing his body pretty heavily by putting him into center field. We need him to hit and we need him to hit a lot. I just think if hes in left field, where hes comfortable and wheres theres not as much emphasis on the defensive side, that hell go back and do what we hope he can do and thats being a big production guy.Conforto said he thinks his last game in center was in college at Oregon State. But he said he was ready to play wherever Collins puts him.We had a conversation today about that, Conforto said. I know I havent played there in pro ball. But if the team needs me there, Im going to do whatever I can to prepare myself to play as well as I can there.---AP freelance writer Mike Cranston contributed to this report.---Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenapKerry Wood Cubs Jersey . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. Stitched Cubs Jerseys . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. https://www.cheapcubs.com/ . -- Bobby Ryan helped the U. David Ross Jersey . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. Nicholas Castellanos Cubs Jersey . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams.LISBON, Portugal -- Former Benfica player Talisca scored from a free kick in injury time to give Besiktas a 1-1 draw against his previous club in Group B of the Champions League on Tuesday.Talisca, playing on loan after two seasons with Benfica, fired a well-placed left-foot shot past the wall three minutes into stoppage time. The Brazilian midfielder came on as a substitute at halftime but had more shots than any other Besiktas player.The result left both teams trailing Napoli, which came from behind to defeat 10-man Dynamo Kiev 2-1 in Ukraine.Argentine striker Franco Cervi had put Benfica ahead in the 12th minute after Besiktas goalkeeper Tolga Zengin could only parry an angled shot by Argentine midfielder Eduardo Salvio.Its a draw that feels like a victory, Portugal forward Ricardo Quaresma said. I thought we showed too much respect for Benfica at the beginning, but perhaps that was due to inexperience. Some of our players are in their first campaign in this tournament. But the second half was different and we played more like our natural selves.Benfica waas in control for most of the match at the Estadio da Luz, but allowed some chances for Besiktas at the end.dddddddddddd One of the best opportunities fell to substitute Cenk Tosun, who had a free shot from inside the area but sent the ball over the crossbar.Atiba Hutchinson also came close with a firm header that prompted a difficult save by Benfica goalkeeper Ederson early in injury time.Goncalo Guedes nearly added to Benficas lead in the 84th when he had only the goalkeeper to beat, but his shot was blocked by Zengins left foot.Benfica played without striker Jonas, the teams top scorer last season, who was nursing a right foot injury.It was the first match between the teams in the European competition. Benfica lost to Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals last season, while Besiktas is trying to reach the knockout round for the first time.Benfica next plays at Napoli, while Besiktas hosts Dynamo Kiev. Both matches are on Sept. 28. ' ' '