Nationals send down Watson, Gonzalez, recall Church, Harris  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The struggling Washington Nationals optioned outfielder Brandon Watson and backup catcher Wiki Gonzalez to Triple-A New Orleans on Thursday and recalled outfielder Ryan Church and infielder Brendan Harris.

Clement looks to start new Sox streak  —  Toronto (4-4) at Boston (6-2), 7:05 p.m. ET  —  The Red Sox have yet to lose a series in the early portion of this season, and they'll try to keep it that way Thursday night, when they host the Blue Jays in the rubber match of a three-game set.

Big-bat attack does trick  —  Sox's 15-hit barrage aids scuffling Garland  —  DETROIT — The White Sox returned home Thursday with a four-game winning streak and a tailwind of relief.  —  The relaxation came from an offense that bailed out Jon Garland with a relentless attack to hold off …

Ross' 7-RBI outburst may change Dodgers' minds  —  PITTSBURGH — If this was Cody Ross' last game for the Los Angeles Dodgers, he certainly gave them something to remember him by.  —  Ross hit a grand slam and a three-run homer in successive at-bats and the Dodgers rode a big game …

Reports: Grand jury investigating whether Bonds committed perjury  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal grand jury is investigating whether Barry Bonds committed perjury when he testified in 2003 that he never used steroids, according to media reports.  —  The panel has been hearing evidence …

Homers hurt Nationals in loss to Mets  —  Hernandez allows eight runs — seven earned — on four dingers  —  WASHINGTON — After a 3-1 defeat on Wednesday night, second baseman Jose Vidro complained that the Nationals couldn't hit for power because of the huge dimensions at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium.

Yankee Programming Goes Over the Wall  —  The first news heard at the top of yesterday's edition of "Yankees Batting Practice Today" on the YES Network was that the Yankees would not be holding batting practice, so stick around for Royals B.P.  —  But a Yankee batting practice program without …

Pulp friction  —  Home runs are up this year.  We peel away at the conspiracy that the ball is juiced.  —  Conspiracy theories about the "fly factor" of baseballs are a big hit, so to speak.  —  With balls flying out of parks at an early-season pace not seen since the suspicious heyday of 2001 …

Gerut defies Pirates by seeking knee operation  —  Gerut defies Pirates by seeking knee operation  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jody Gerut was placed on the minor-league restricted list Thursday by the Pittsburgh Pirates after the outfielder decided to have right knee surgery the team doesn't think is necessary.

Arizona noticing Colorado's revival  —  Phoenix - For eight seasons, opponents have arrived at first base and offered Rockies star Todd Helton sympathy.  "Wait until next year" was more a warning than a condolence.  —  One week into Year 2 of a full-blown youth movement, everything is different.

Brewers beat Cards at own game  —  Fundamentally sound play leads to 4-3 victory in St. Louis  —  ST. LOUIS — The Milwaukee Brewers were under strict instructions to play more like the St. Louis Cardinals.  You should not go wrong following orders like this and the Brewers didn't.

Backe departs with sprained elbow  —  Houston starter lasts two innings against Giants  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Brandon Backe threw a fastball to Lance Niekro and immediately knew something wasn't right.  His pitching coach and head athletic trainer knew it, too, and soon after …