Jays' Snider stays cool while awaiting his chance  —  PHOTOS ( 1 )  —  Toronto Blue Jays player Travis Snider (C) joins kids from Jays Care Rookie League and the Hospital for Sick Children to unveil Jays Care Community Clubhouse at the Rogers Centre.  —  TORONTO — For the third time in four days …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

Rangers mull Ramirez; not interested in Hawpe  —  The Rangers are mulling the possibility of talking to the Dodgers about outfielder Manny Ramirez.  —  Club officials said they are considering all possibilities to improve the team and the idea of adding Ramirez's big bat is tempting.

Jackson leads White Sox past Orioles  —  CHICAGO—Edwin Jackson struck out 10 in eight dominant innings, Alex Rios hit a two-run homer and the Chicago White Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-0 on Thursday night for their first series victory in three weeks.  —  Jackson allowed three hits …