Peralta, Scherzer lead Tigers over Blue Jays  —  TORONTO — Jhonny Peralta hit a three-run homer and Max Scherzer threw eight strong innings as the Detroit Tigers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 7-1 on Thursday.  —  Gerald Laird also went deep with a two-run shot for the Tigers (64-64) …

Mets' Jose Reyes (oblique) exits game  —  NEW YORK — A strained oblique forced Mets shortstop Jose Reyes to leave Thursday night's game versus the Florida Marlins in the second inning.  The Mets described the injury as “mild,” but said Reyes will not play again until he has no pain in the oblique.

Pujols belts career home run No. 400  —  WASHINGTON — Albert Pujols' 400th Major League home run wasn't just historic, it was emphatic.  Unfortunately, it was also for naught.  —  In the fourth inning of the Cardinals' 11-10, 13-inning loss to the Nationals on Thursday night …

Hank Steinbrenner: New York Yankees will be defending World Series title  —  Hank Steinbrenner is already looking to the future.  —  Speaking Thursday at Yankee Stadium, the part-owner of the Yankees said he believes the Yankees will be defending their World Series championship come October.

Pedroia probably done for the year  —  Nothing is official yet, but according to major league source Dustin Pedroia will likely shut it down for the remainder of the season.  Pedroia is expected to spend the next 10 days back in a boot to stabilize the left foot that got sore again after two games.

Pete Rose's advice for Roger Clemens  —  Rose was quixotic, arrogant and desperate in his denials.  Does that sound familiar?  —  Twenty-one years after his adamant denials began, six years after he finally conceded the charade was up, Pete Rose remains baseball's gold standard for obstinacy in the face of incriminating evidence.

Oliver Perez wants to stay with Mets … NEW YORK — Even after being essentially ostracized by the New York Mets, pitcher Oliver Perez still wants to be with the team next season.  —  “I want to be back here,” Perez told ESPNNewYork.com.  “I want to have a championship because I know the fans want it and I want it, too.”

Beltre's banter results in pair of ejections  —  Third baseman, Francona tossed by home-plate umpire  —  BOSTON — Trash talking between friends occurs often in sports, and in Adrian Beltre and Felix Hernandez's case, this time was no different.  —  Just one small problem: Home-plate umpire Dan Bellino didn't know it.

Liriano outpitches Lee, Twins beat Rangers 6-4  —  ARLINGTON, Texas—Francisco Liriano allowed two runs and five hits over seven innings, Delmon Young hit a three-run homer, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Texas Rangers and struggling Cliff Lee 6-4 on Thursday night to avoid a four-game sweep.

A tale of two first basemen  —  Ike Davis is a lot like John Olerud — a comparison that suits the ex-Met just fine  —  John Olerud misses baseball.  —  “I miss the challenge, the competition, the trying to get your swing right and get in a zone where whatever is thrown, you hit hard …

Rodriguez goes 7 strong, Astros sweep Phillies  —  PHILADELPHIA—Wandy Rodriguez pitched seven sharp innings, Carlos Lee homered and the Houston Astros beat the Phillies 5-1 Thursday to complete their first four-game sweep in Philadelphia in 11 years.  —  The two-time NL champion Phillies …

Stage is set for seismic shifts on the managerial front this winter … There could be more big-name managers on the open market than ever this winter, with several marquee names potentially on the move, setting up several interesting scenarios.  Yet, at least three men with great playing pedigrees …

Playing backup to Ruben Tejada isn't sitting well with Luis Castillo; Josh Thole has busy night  —  Luis Castillo arrived for work at Citi Field Wednesday, looked at the starting lineup and didn't know what to think.  He did know that Jerry Manuel had spent the season rewarding good play with a start the next day.