Alex Rios hit a three-run homer to go along with four solo shots as the White Sox pounded their way to a 7-2 victory over the Blue Jays on Thursday night at Rogers Centre. Francisco Liriano earned his first win with the first-place South Siders.

Chipper Jones' first multihomer performance in more than three years backed Kris Medlen's five-hit shutout that carried the Braves to a 6-0 win over the Padres.

A team of youngsters from Petaluma, Calif., kicked off this year's Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., with a victory over Connecticut on Thursday in the closest contest of the double-elimination tournament's opening four-game slate.

The Mets spent most of their pregame hours Thursday fretting about their offense, stating concern over a unit that simply was not scoring. Matt Harvey made sure that none of that would matter.

A.J. Burnett was helped by Garrett Jones, who hit tiebreaking three-run homers in the first and fifth innings.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly and center fielder Matt Kemp were both ejected in the top of the second inning of Thursday's series finale.

Neil Walker said he felt really good about a midday examination by hand specialist Dr. Tom Hughes, but the Pirates second baseman didn't really have to say anything on Thursday.

Chipper Jones hit two home runs in his first three at-bats of Thursday's game, bringing his career hit total to 2,700. His first multihomer game of the season gave him 466 career home runs, pushing him past Hall of Famer Dave Winfield on the all-time list.

Giants general manager Brian Sabean gave no indication on Thursday that the team would acquire a proven hitter to replace suspended left fielder Melky Cabrera.

Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista is nearing a return and could begin a rehab assignment as early as Monday.

Craig Gentry's first hit since July 29 — a bases-loaded single in the top of the seventh — was the big blow that allowed the Rangers to hang on to a 10-6 victory over the Yankees on Thursday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

A new era in San Diego Padres history dawned on Thursday morning when the collective Major League owners approved the transfer of the franchise from John Moores to a group headed by longtime San Diego businessman Ron Fowler.

The Rockies reinstated Michael Cuddyer from the 15-day disabled list Thursday, optioning Matt McBride to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

It's unclear how the Rangers would arrange a postseason starting rotation; their bullpen has been inconsistent despite having some very big arms, and they've had difficulty staying healthy. But that lineup … oh, that lineup.

Home-plate umpire Greg Gibson exited Wednesday's Indians-Angels game in the fifth inning after a freak play in which he took a cleat to the face from a sliding Torii Hunter.

Derek Holland and Ivan nova broke strings of disappointing starts in their last outings, and they're hoping avoid starting another skid in Thursday's series finale between the Rangers and Yankees, who will go for a four-game sweep.

Ervin Santana allowed one run over seven innings while the Angels' bats did serious damage, with Mike Trout and Chris Iannetta homering in a win over the Indians on Wednesday night.