Mets fall apart in extra innings against Braves after blown call, Chris Johnson home run  —  In the top of the 10th, first base umpire Jerry Layne ruled Freddie Freeman had beaten out the throw on a come-backer that got past reliever Scott Rice.  Johnson homered on the very first pitched offered …

Mets sign Daisuke Matsuzaka, to start Friday  —  The Mets announced they have signed RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, and he has been named tomorrow night's starter against the Tigers.  —  Matsuzaka will wear number 16.  —  To make room on the active roster for Matsuzaka, the Mets option RHP Greg Burke to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Big Papi defends A-Rod, 'didn't like' drilling  —  SAN FRANCISCO — In an era of increasing intolerance for users of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball, Alex Rodriguez has been the target of sharp criticism from his peers and, on Sunday, a fastball at his midsection from Boston Red Sox pitcher Ryan Dempster.

Braun issues statement  —  Ryan Braun released this statement tonight:  —  Now that the initial MLB investigation is over, I want to apologize for my actions and provide a more specific account of what I did and why I deserved to be suspended.  I have no one to blame but myself.

Herrmann's Late Double Lifts Twins Over Tigers 7-6  —  DETROIT — Chris Herrmann's second RBI double of the game broke an eighth-inning tie and helped the Minnesota Twins to a 7-6 win over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday.  —  With two out, Herrmann lined a ball into the right-center field gap.

Rays Claim David DeJesus Off Revocable Waivers  —  11:37am: Rogers tweets that the Rays are the team that has claimed DeJesus.  —  11:22am: The Braves are not the team that claimed DeJesus, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago (Twitter link).  —  10:58am: An unknown team …

Giants torn on how to wrap up the Barry Zito era  —  SAN FRANCISCO — So many times over so many seasons, it seemed the Giants would never reach the end of Barry Zito's seven-year, $126 million contract.  —  Zito is in his last stages of guaranteed life as a Giant now.

Minnesota Twins: Joe Mauer rests as his future is debated  —  DETROIT — Joe Mauer's ears must have been burning Wednesday evening.  As the Twins catcher started his seven-day concussion stay in his hotel, his future behind the plate dominated pregame talk at Comerica Park.

Cal Ripken, Jr. as Nats skipper?  —  Table Manners Extra: Ripken has thought about managing  —  The topic of Baltimore Orioles great Cal Ripken, Jr. returning to the game of baseball has been widely discussed over the years since his retirement in 2001.  The focus has been mainly on whether …

Choo homers, helps Reds get past D-backs  —  Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio  —  Recap  —  Box Score  —  Play-By-Play  —  Photos  —  Conversation  —  Shin-Soo Choo, Reds knock off Diamondbacks  —  CINCINNATI — Shin-Soo Choo went 4 for 5 with a homer and three RBIs …