Twins KO Chris Sale early, blow out White Sox  —  MINNEAPOLIS - When your ace takes the mound to open a four-game series against the team picked to finish last in the division, you figure it's your night to win.  —  You almost have to.  Or least be in the game.

Mets have changed their plan about trading Bartolo Colon  —  MIAMI — Yeah, Bartolo Colon lost to the Marlins on Wednesday, but his list of Met moments is long, for a guy who arrived only last year.  —  Choose your favorite: The time he ran to to personally pick a baserunner off first base?

Mets call up Dilson Herrera  —  Second baseman Dilson Herrera has been called up from Triple-A Las Vegas, the Mets announced.  —  According to the team, a corresponding roster move will be made on Friday.  —  Sandy Alderson said on Thursday that if the Mets called up Herrera or Matt Reynolds, it wouldn't be to sit on the bench.

Duffy Throws Gem, Hosmer Homers, Royals Beat Tigers 8-1  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Danny Duffy pitched shutout ball into the eighth and Eric Hosmer hit a two-run homer as the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 8-1 on Thursday night.  —  The Royals lost 13 of 19 to Detroit last year …

Mets struggle in all aspects during loss to Nationals  —  The Mets (15-8) were done in by their defense and couldn't muster much offense as they lost to the Nationals (10-13) on Thursday night at Citi Field.  —  Jacob deGrom was perfect through three, but an error by Wilmer Flores with none …

Blue Jays' bats come alive in win over Indians  —  It marked a showdown of the cellar-dwellers, two teams that had set far loftier goals this season but are still awaiting liftoff.  —  In one corner, the Cleveland Indians, projected by Sports Illustrated before the season started as the team …

Strasburg Settles Down, Nats End Mets' Perfect Home Record  —  NEW YORK — An agitated Stephen Strasburg settled down in a hurry after a rocky start and the Washington Nationals became the first visiting team to win at Citi Field this season, beating the New York Mets 8-2 on Thursday night.

Leake Pitches, Hits Reds Past Struggling Braves  —  ATLANTA — Mike Leake pitched eight strong innings and hit his fifth career home run to help the Cincinnati Reds beat the Atlanta Braves 5-1 on Thursday night.  —  Todd Frazier, Tucker Barnhart and Billly Hamilton also had solo homers as the Reds won their third straight.

Whether Cole Hamels or the next available starter, Cubs could be buyers  —  Now that the Cubs have reached May with a winning record for the first time in six years, what's next for these upstarts who seem to think they're going to keep this up into the fall?

Mets: Lucas Duda knocking on elite's door  —  As Lucas Duda's name came over the loudspeakers during the first few games of the Mets' opening homestand, Curtis Granderson noticed the reactions.  —  The hulking first baseman received a monstrous ovation from the frenzied crowds …

Dodgers Claim Eury De La Rosa  —  The Dodgers have claimed left-handed pitcher Eury De La Rosa off waivers from the Athletics, reports J.P. Hoornstra of the L.A. News Group (Twitter links).  To make room on the 40-man roster, Brandon McCarthy has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list, he adds.

Slugger Park Byung-ho being watched by MLB scouts  —  When Nexen Heroes first baseman Park Byung-ho, two-time South Korean baseball MVP, steps into the batter's box Thursday, he will have more than a few sets of watchful eyes tracking his movements.  —  According to the Heroes …

Mets lose second series in a row  —  The Mets lost the rubber game for the second consecutive series as the Marlins won 7-3 in Miami.  —  Bartolo Colon lost for the first time this season after four consecutive wins.  He gave up four runs and nine hits with one strikeout in 6 2/3 innings.