Karstens pitches gem as Pirates beat Astros 4-0  —  HOUSTON (AP)—Jeff Karstens(notes) shut down the Houston Astros and pitched the Pittsburgh Pirates into a tie for first place in the NL Central.  —  Karstens threw a five-hitter and Andrew McCutchen(notes) tripled and drove in two runs …

Marmol loses closer's job for time being  —  CHICAGO — For the second straight game, Carlos Marmol was unable to convert a save situation and protect a two-run lead.  Cubs manager Mike Quade said the right-hander will take some time to work on his mechanics and has lost his job as the closer for now.

Giants hire Jim Riggleman as a scout  —  SAN DIEGO — The San Francisco Giants have hired former Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman as a special assignment scout.  —  The move came less than a month after Riggleman abruptly resigned as Nationals manager.

Numbers don't point to A-Rod resurgence  —  While the Yankees were busy celebrating Derek Jeter's ascension into the 3,000-hit club last weekend, a more sobering reality now confronts them in the second half.  The question isn't will the Bombers still score runs with Alex Rodriguez …

Ben Zobrist's slam helps Rays beat Red Sox 9-6  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — All-Star David Price pitched six solid innings and Ben Zobrist hit his fifth career grand slam, helping the Tampa Bay Rays tighten the AL East standings with a 9-6 victory Friday night that snapped first-place Boston's six-game winning streak.

Mayberry Jr. drives in five as Phillies thump Mets  —  NEW YORK — John Mayberry Jr. drove in five runs to set another career best, Vance Worley pitched well enough and the Philadelphia Phillies got off to a strong start after the all-star break by beating the New York Mets 7-2 on Friday night.

Wright pleased with first rehab game  —  N.Y. Mets third baseman takes strong first step back with St. Lucie Mets  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — David Wright had his first at-bats in two months Friday night, and after hitting a double and scoring in the first inning, the New York Mets third baseman …

Prado returns from DL, hits homer to help Braves whip Nats  —  ATLANTA — Martin Prado had two hits, including a homer, in his return from five weeks on the disabled list and the Braves beat the error-prone Washington Nationals 11-1 on Friday night for the 10,000th win in franchise history.

Floyd outduels Verlander as White Sox rout Tigers  —  DETROIT — Gavin Floyd allowed six hits into the eighth inning, outpitching Justin Verlander and leading the Chicago White Sox to an 8-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.  —  Carlos Quentin had three hits and three RBIs for the White Sox.

A's hold off Angels 5-3  —  OAKLAND, Calif.—Josh Willingham homered and drove in two runs, Jemile Weeks singled twice and scored, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-3 on Friday night.  —  Brandon McCarthy (2-5) pitched into the sixth inning and matched his season-high …

Rookie Hosmer's homer in ninth lifts Royals over Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Eric Hosmer hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning off Matt Capps to lift the Kansas City Royals to a 2-1 victory Friday night over Minnesota, the seventh blown save this season for the Twins' closer to match the major-league lead.

Pirates, Rockies interested in Twins' Slowey  —  Kevin Slowey's future with the Minnesota Twins was in question from the moment he failed to make the major-league rotation coming out of spring training.  —  Now, it's looking more likely that he will be dealt prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Kemp drives in 4 in Dodgers' 6-4 win  —  PHOENIX - All-Star Matt Kemp homered and drove in four runs, Clayton Kershaw pitched around a costly error in the seventh inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers opened the second half of the season with their fifth straight win, 6-4 over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.

Francoeur wants to stay put as trade deadline approaches  —  It was Bastille Day so, naturally, Frenchy was in a feisty mood Thursday before the Royals opened their post-break schedule with the first of four weekend games against the Minnesota Twins.  —  Specifically, yes, of course …