Fifth-place Cubs fire general manager Hendry  —  With one of the highest payrolls but the second worst record in the National League, the Chicago Cubs fired general manager and vice president Jim Hendry on Friday.  —  Assistant general manager Randy Bush was named Interim general manager, the team announced.

Masterson goes six strong; Indians top White Sox to win series  —  CHICAGO — Justin Masterson pitched six effective innings, Kosuke Fukudome had a tiebreaking RBI triple and the Cleveland Indians inched closer to the top of the AL Central with a 4-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night.

Tired-but-true excuse by Red Sox  —  Exhausted bats easy to explain  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Red Sox [team stats] feel victimized by their schedule, and they're not happy about it.  —  As the team deals with injuries to David Ortiz …

Pirates, Jose Tabata Nearing Extension  —  1:48pm: MLBTR's Tim Dierkes hears that Tabata's deal with the Pirates will include three team options (Twitter link).  —  12:47pm: The sides are nearing a six-year agreement, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com (on Twitter).

Reality host Lopez convinces home-run legend to face ‘H8R’  —  Barry Bonds will try to rehabilitate his tarnished image by confronting a fan who hates him on the upcoming reality show “H8R.”  —  On the show, the MLB home-run king will watch a tape of one of his biggest detractors chewing him out …

Six* reasons the Angels are still in it  —  If the Rangers win the AL West this year, you'll live with that fact for the rest of your lives.  So there's no harm living the next couple weeks thinking that the Angels still have a shot.  Maybe that's delusional, but you know who else was delusional?

Blue Jays try to continue run barrage vs. Athletics  —  The Sports Network  —  (Sports Network) - The Toronto Blue Jays haven't been shy about scoring runs this season and lately it's becoming the norm.  —  Averaging over seven runs per game in their last 11 contests (46 total) …

Mets land in real Catch-22 due to shoddy defense  —  SAN DIEGO — Terry Collins spoke almost wistfully, as if he and his coaching staff had thrown their full weight into the Mets' defensive dilemma without any tangible results.  —  “Nobody takes infield anymore at the major-league level,” …

Randy Choate likely done for season  —  SAN DIEGO — The Marlins placed Randy Choate on the 15-day disabled list with elbow inflammation, and it's unlikely the lefty specialist will pitch again this season.  —  “I doubt it,” Choate said after undergoing a MRI in South Florida on Thursday.

Ex-congressman: Roger Clemens has ‘suffered enough’  —  A former U.S. representative who prodded the Justice Department investigation that led to charges against Roger Clemens for lying to Congress said the seven-time Cy Young Award winner has paid his dues, and he doesn't see a reason to continue putting him on trial.

Harper injures hamstring, likely headed to DL  —  WASHINGTON — Nationals top prospect Bryce Harper had to leave Thursday's game against Double-A Akron because of a right hamstring injury.  He will be re-evaluated on Friday.  —  The injury occurred in the eighth inning, according to reports.

Sabathia snaps skid, Yankees hit three homers to beat Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS — CC Sabathia stopped his two-start losing streak with nine strikeouts over seven innings, and the New York Yankees hit three home runs to support him in an 8-4 victory over the depleted Minnesota Twins on Thursday night.