TORONTO — Bryce Harper's comebacks look ready for the big leagues, too.

The 19-year-old Washington Nationals outfielder was asked by a Toronto TV reporter if he planned to take advantage of Canada's lower drinking age with a beer after his long home run against the Blue Jays Tuesday night.

"That's a clown question, bro," Harper quipped.

For a brief time, the highest trending topic on Twitter was Harper's response.

In Ontario, the drinking age is 19. Harper is a Mormon, a religion that forbids alcohol.

Sure enough, by Wednesday morning, online retailers were offering T-shirts emblazoned with Harper's comment.

Mets to appeal ruling on hit

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Manager Terry Collins said the Mets would appeal the official scorer's ruling on B.J. Upton's first-inning infield single, the only hit allowed by knuckleballer R.A. Dickey in a 9-1 win over Tampa Bay Wednesday.

Collins conceded it probably wouldn't change the result.

Third baseman David Wright was unable to field Upton's high bouncer with his bare hand.

Dickey, a 37-year-old former Mariner, went on to pitch his second career one-hitter.

"We said in the ninth inning that we've got to appeal that play. We're probably not going to win it, but ... what the heck," Collins said. "What have you got to lose except to have somebody say no?

" If anybody deserved a no-hitter or a perfect game tonight, it was him," Collins said.

Dickey's string of 32-2/3 scoreless innings broke a club record set by Jerry Koosman 39 years ago.

"I always try to be consistent. That means a lot to me, to be consistent and trustworthy. And it makes me feel good that my team feels like they've got a chance to win every time out," said Dickey, who also pitched a one-hitter against the Phillies in New York on Aug. 13, 2010.

"The streaks and the special things that happen along the way are just the manifestation of that, of wanting to be consistent and wanting to really be good at my craft. I still have a passion for it," Dickey said. "I'm still looking for things to do with the knuckleball."

Notes

• Toronto RHP Brandon Morrow, who already has a career-high three shutouts this season, was put on the 15-day disabled list with a strained muscle in his left side.

• Hall of Fame manager Tom Lasorda said he's feeling "really good" after a mild heart attack last week. Lasorda, 84, has been resting at home in California.

• Cleveland OF Michael Brantley extended his hitting streak to 20 games, matching the longest in the majors this season.

• A stomach virus had Reds players eating chicken soup and getting intravenous fluids before their game against Cleveland. More than a half-dozen players were hit.

• Jim Thome's 606th career home run left the 41-year-old Phillies slugger three behind Sammy Sosa for seventh place all-time. Ken Griffey Jr. is sixth with 630.