MLB sets a new single-season HR record  —  When Jonathan Villar took Caleb Ferguson deep at 9:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, baseball history was made.  —  Villar's three-run blast — which gave the Orioles a 5-2 lead against the Dodgers in the seventh inning …

‘We have no choice’: Success of Dodgers, Astros has MLB teams scrambling to keep up  —  BALTIMORE - Baseball's hyperactive transformation has played out at least partially in the public eye, be it a lopsided defensive shift, an exotic breaking pitch thrown in a 3- count or a uniformed coach …

After honoring 9/11 first responders, Mets score 9 runs on 11 hits in rout of Arizona Diamondbacks  —  On the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and with the memorial lit up by two bright beams in the distance, the Mets recorded nine runs and 11 hits.  The commemorative evening helped lead …

Shohei Ohtani To Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery  —  5:23PM: Ohtani's recovery from his knee surgery shouldn't impact his Tommy John rehab or his readiness for Spring Training or the start of the 2020 season, Eppler told Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times and other reporters.

METRO SPORTS BUSINESS OPINION RHODE ISLAND POLITICS LIFESTYLE MARIJUANA ARTS MAGAZINE CARS REAL ESTATE EVENTS  —  TORONTO — Clay Buchholz has been a professional baseball player for 15 years now.  He's played for two World Series champions, thrown a no-hitter, and twice been an All-Star.

Yankees Notes: Sanchez, Happ  —  7:53pm: Sanchez told Hoch and other reporters that his newest groin injury feels “very similar” to his previous one.  He'll head back to New York for testing (Twitter links).  —  6:34pm: Stop us if you've heard this before: The Yankees are dealing with a couple potential injuries.

Royals Claim Randy Rosario  —  The Royals have claimed southpaw Randy Rosario off waivers from the Cubs, as per a team announcement.  Rosario was designated for assignment by Chicago earlier this week.  To create a 40-man roster spot, Kansas City recalled infielder Kelvin Gutierrez and placed him on the 60-day injured list.

Dozier's homer sends Royals past Giolito, White Sox, 6-3  —  Hunter Dozier hit a tie-breaking, three-run home run in the sixth,  —  Jorge Soler had his third homer in two days and the  —  Chicago White Sox 6-3 on Thursday.  —  Whit Merrifield walked and Soler singled off Chicago starter

Latest On Rich Hill  —  7:05PM: Hill's outing only lasted six batters and two-thirds of an inning, as Jon Morosi reports (Twitter link) that Hill had a problem with his left knee.  A sprain to that same knee put Hill on the IL for the first month of the season.

Rangers' deal with top Dominican prospect is official.  Mazara, Guzman have advice.  —  The thing that stands out about Bayron Lora is how high he stands.  —  He is big for a full-grown man, let alone a 16-year-old who on Wednesday became a millionaire after passing a physical exam.