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 …

Book excerpt: Pedro Martinez talks 2003 season, rivalry with Yankees  —  Excerpt from “PEDRO” by Pedro Martinez and Michael Silverman to be published on May 5, 2015 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.  Copyright © 2015 by Pedro Martinez.  Reprinted by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Injury updates: Andrew Bailey shut down with shoulder strain  —  A few rehab and injury updates from Brian Cashman:  —  After finally pitching in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday, Bailey was taken off the High-A Tampa roster and reassigned to extended spring training.

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.

Braves' Fredi G. says Cahill move to bullpen ‘not permanent’  —  The Braves demoted right-hander Trevor Cahill to the bullpen after three lackluster starts but manager Fredi Gonzalez said Cahill won't necessarily stay there.  —  Cahill won't make his scheduled start on Friday after he pitched …

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 …

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.

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.

Bad night for Chris Sale, ugly loss for 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.

One email ended the pain and saved the career of Royals pitcher Chris Young  —  Chris Young is scheduled to make his first start for the Royals on Friday against Detroit.  SHANE KEYSER The Kansas City Star  —  Inside an extended-stay hotel in central New York, Chris Young wrote an email detailing the downfall of his career.

Rangers pitchers Harrison, Perez enduring long Arizona days  —  Matt Harrison is battling the mental grind of long days in Arizona as he recovers from back surgery.  Martin Perez (Tommy John surgery) is, too.  Max Faulkner Star-Telegram  —  Time doesn't stand still for 20 of the 24 hours each …

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 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.