ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - The starting job at running back isnt the only thing Montee Ball lost during his month on the sideline recovering from a torn right groin.The Denver Broncos second-year pro said he eliminated sweets and cut down on carbs and fried foods during his rehab because at 224 pounds, he wasnt hitting the holes fast enough.So, he dropped a dozen pounds and now tips the scales at right around the weight he was at Wisconsin and two pounds lighter than he was at the NFL combine in 2013.Today I felt great out there, Ball said Wednesday following his first practice since he was hurt Oct. 5. I felt a lot more elusive. I felt a lot more agile. And this is where I should have been at the beginning of the year.Ball said he realizes Ronnie Hillman deserves to remain the starter — for now — after leapfrogging him during his absence because the running game has been a lot better since hes been in there.He did a great job of taking that job from me, Ball said. He should start now because he did a great job. But Im going to most definitely be working for that spot again.Hillman, whos quicker and more decisive at the line of scrimmage, has rushed 363 yards and three TDs while averaging 4.3 yards a carry also catching 17 passes for 121 yards and a score in Balls absence, giving Denver a legitimate ground game to go with Peyton Mannings passing prowess.When he got hurt, Ball was averaging 3.1 yards a carry, a significant drop-off from the 4.7 he averaged as a rookie.During his time off — which followed several missed practices in August after undergoing an emergency appendectomy, Ball said he watched film and realized he was pitter-pattering too much at the line of scrimmage.It wasnt entirely his fault: Behind a reconfigured offensive line thats had its share of troubles, Broncos backs have seen at least three carries go for no gain or negative yardage in seven of their eight games so far.Defenders have consistently found the gaps between centre Manny Ramirez and guards Orlando Franklin, whos still adjusting to his switch from tackle, and Louis Vasquez, who isnt playing at his Pro Bowl level of a year ago because of nagging back and ribs injuries.Ball took it on himself, however, to do what he could during his time off to get better prepared for a stretch run like he had last year.It was kind of my plan, so I could move better, hit the holes faster, he said. I was 224 when the injury happened. Im 212 now and I most definitely love it. This is where I was at in college, and I feel a lot more comfortable at this weight.Ball played at 220 pounds last year.So, this is the lightest Ive ever been in the NFL and Im loving it, Ball said. I havent been hitting the holes fast. Ive been doing too much second-guessing.Ball said he felt fine after Wednesdays workout and ice tub soak. He said he no longer is in any pain and hopes to return Sunday when the Broncos (6-2) visit the Oakland Raiders (0-8).Ball got hurt when he accidentally did the splits while chipping a defender before going out on his route in a game against Arizona. But he said his right groin was actually sore since the start of the season.I wasnt telling anybody about it. I was just trying to work through it on my own, Ball said.Tearing the groin, Ball said, was a blessing in disguise because Im learning how to be a pro and learning better ways to take care of my body.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapletonCheap Nike Shoes Online . Today, well look at five frontcourt players today, here from the Bay Area. 1. AMIR JOHNSON (Raptors): I cant figure out what the issue or problem is, but based upon what Im seeing, hes not right. Cheap Nike Shoes Uk . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. 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Rajon Rondo had 18 of Bostons season-high 38 assists and the Celtics committed just seven turnovers in a 118-111 win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.SEATTLE -- Working both sides of the plate and mixing in his changeup, Indians starter Josh Tomlin had little trouble keeping the Seattle Mariners at bay Saturday night. Tomlin threw the second complete game of his career, throwing a one-hitter with a career-high 11 strikeouts in Clevelands 5-0 victory over Seattle . Tomlin (5-5) didnt walk a batter and a leadoff single by Kyle Seager in the fifth inning was the only blemish on his evening. It was the second complete game of Tomlins career and the first one-hitter by a Cleveland pitcher since Billy Traber did it against the Yankees on July 8, 2003. "He commanded so well," manager Terry Francona said. He was expanding (the strike zone). He showed in to keep them honest and then hed go away. A little farther. A little farther, just leading guys to pitches. "That was just a tremendous outing." Its only the third time since 2002 that a pitcher has recorded a one-hit shutout with at least 11 strikeouts and no walks. St. Louis Shelby Miller struck out 13 in a 3-0 victory over Colorado on May 10, 2013. San Franciscos Matt Cain equaled Tomlin with 11 strikeouts in a 5-0 win over Pittsburgh on April 13, 2012. "I felt good and I knew I was commanding the ball well to both sides of the plate," Tomlin said. "I had to have a good changeup today to get them off everything else." The Indians jumped on Mariners starter Roenis Elias (7-6) for a pair of runs in the first inning. Asdrubal Cabrera doubled and scored on a single from Michael Brantley. Brantley advanced to second on the throw home and scored on a double by Carlos Santana to give the Indians a 2-0 lead. Mike Aviles singled with one out in the fifth and came around to score on Michael Bourns double. A balk by Elias moved Bourn to third and Cabreras sacrifice fly scored Bourn to givee the Indians a 4-0 lead.dddddddddddd Meanwhile, the Mariners couldnt solve Tomlin. He retired the first 12 batters he faced with some help from right fielder Ryan Raburn. He tracked down a deep line drive from Seager with a diving grab on the warning track in the second inning. "Great catch," Francona said. "Im glad it doesnt get lost two hours later because that was a really nice play." Seager singled to lead off the fifth and took second on a wild pitch and advanced to third when the throw from catcher Yan Gomes sailed into centre field. He was stranded when Tomlin struck out Michael Saunders to end the inning. "Our at-bats were not at-bats we want to talk about," Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said. "We want to forget about them. It was one of those nights." Gomes homered off Elias in the sixth inning to extend Clevelands lead to 5-0. NOTES: Tomlin is 4-1 with a 3.41 ERA in five career starts against Seattle and 3-0 with a 2.12 ERA at Safeco Field. ... Indians RHP Justin Masterson is on track to start Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers after pushing his scheduled spot in the rotation back two days due to a sore knee. ... It was the second time this season that Seattle had been held to just one hit. Garrett Richards, Joe Smith and Ernesto Frieri of the Los Angeles Angels combined to one-hit Seattle on April 9. ... LHP TJ House (0-1, 4.88 ERA) will be activated to start Sundays series finale with Seattle. He will face Mariners ace RHP Felix Hernandez (9-2, 2.24 ERA). ... McClendon said after the game the team is expected to call up RHP Taijuan Walker from Triple-A Tacoma to start Monday against the Houston Astros. ... The Mariners are 43-38 at the halfway point of their season. Its the first time the team has been over .500 through 81 games since 2009 (42-39). ' ' '