Mets GM Sandy Alderson: ‘No present plans to make any changes’  —  SAN FRANCISCO — As general manager Sandy Alderson stood in the visitors' dugout at AT&T Park during batting practice Thursday afternoon, a New York Mets fan in the crowd shouted at him, “Bud Black!  Bud Black, Sandy!  Bud Black!”

Orioles Hit 6 HRs in 13-5 Rout of Slumping Astros  —  BALTIMORE — J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis each hit two of Baltimore's six home runs, Hyun Soo Kim had a career-high four hits and the Orioles beat rookie Joe Musgrove and the skidding Houston Astros 13-5 on Thursday night.

MLB Clears Howard, Zimmerman of Drug Allegations  —  NEW YORK — Philadelphia's Ryan Howard and Washington's Ryan Zimmerman have been cleared by Major League Baseball of allegations they used human growth hormone.  —  Pharmacist Charlie Sly claimed in an Al-Jazeera America documentary …

Next Slide  —  Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price has never been a fan of things like left-handed specialists.  He'd rather have a staff full of pitchers who can handle multiple types of deployment.  —  That's what the Reds are trying to do with their bullpen down the stretch of the 2016 season.

Steven Matz scratched from Friday night's start because of shoulder discomfort  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Hampered for much of the season by a balky elbow, Mets lefthander Steven Matz was scratched from his scheduled start against the Giants on Friday night with lingering discomfort in his shoulder.

Cabrera,' Lucky Charm' Power Reds to 5-4 Win Over Marlins  —  CINCINNATI — Pat Hoberg is Ramon Cabrera's lucky charm.  —  Hoberg was umpiring behind the plate last season when the Reds catcher hit his first career home run.  Hoberg made it 2 for 2 on Thursday night.

Gordon Hits Grand Slam as Royals Top Twins 8-1  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Alex Gordon hit a grand slam, Dillon Gee pitched seven strong innings and the Kansas City Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 8-1 on Thursday night.  —  The Royals have won five straight and eight of nine to move above .500 for the first time since July 22.

Jurickson Profar becomes fixture in Texas Rangers lineup  —  Every non-roster invitee and up-and-coming prospect each spring almost always says that his goal is to make the big-league club's Opening Day roster even in the smallest role on the team.  —  When a player is promoted from the minor leagues …

How Gary Sanchez turned around his behavior, work ethic and defense to become the Yankees' starting catcher  —  Brian Cashman still remembers his trip to Boca Chica, Dominican Republic, to watch Gary Sanchez work out for the Yankees.  It was February of 2009 and many other teams wanted Sanchez …

Brady slices right thumb with scissors prior to Thursday's preseason game  —  FOXBORO - Tom Brady sliced his right thumb with a pair of scissors prior to Thursday night's preseason game against the Bears and was sent home.  —  Brady was expected to start against the Bears after not playing …

Pujols, Escobar Lead Angels to 6-4 Win Over Mariners  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSAUG. 19, 2016, 1:45 A.M. E.D.T.  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Albert Pujols drove in two runs, Yunel Escobar had three hits and scored twice, and the Los Angeles Angels held off a late rally and beat the Seattle Mariners 6-4 on Thursday night.

Dickerson's 3-Run Double Lifts Padres Past Diamondbacks, 9-8  —  By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSAUG. 19, 2016, 3:18 A.M. E.D.T.  —  SAN DIEGO — The rebuilding San Diego Padres got a glimpse of the future on Thursday night.  —  Two rookies led the way as San Diego beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-8 to snap a five-game losing streak.