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.

Source: Pirates sign Tabata to 6-year extension  —  ORLANDO — Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jose Tabata has signed a contract extension for six years, a source close to the negotiations told ESPNdeportes.com on Friday.  —  Tabata's new deal with the Pirates is guaranteed through the 2016 season …

Chipper ends speculation: “I'm playing next year”  —  Chipper Jones said he will return to play for the Braves in 2012, ending speculation that the Braves' 39-year-old third baseman might retire after this season and walk away with a year left on his contract.

Brewers' Rogers suspended for stimulant  —  A lousy season got worse Friday for Brewers pitching prospect Mark Rogers, who drew a 25-game suspension after a second positive test for a stimulant in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Canadian Martin homers twice, Yankees beat Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Phil Hughes allowed just two hits in 7 2-3 innings and Canada's Russell Martin hit two home runs to lead the New York Yankees to an 8-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.  —  Hughes (4-4) gave up one run …

Hamilton, Moreland lead Rangers over White Sox  —  CHICAGO—Josh Hamilton hit a tiebreaking home run in the sixth inning, Mitch Moreland added two homers, a three-run shot in the fourth and a two-run shot in the sixth, and the Texas Rangers beat the Chicago White Sox 7-4 on Friday night.

Harden and A's shut out Jays  —  Canadian Rich Harden matched his career high with 11 strikeouts and didn't allow a hit until the fifth, Josh Willingham hit a two-run homer, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0 on Friday night.  —  Harden quickly recovered from a shaky start …

Zimmerman hits grand slam in ninth, Nationals rally past Phillies  —  WASHINGTON — Ryan Zimmerman hit a grand slam on a full count with two outs in the bottom of the ninth Friday night, capping a six-run inning and lifting the Washington Nationals to an improbable 8-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Maholm lands on DL for first time in career  —  PITTSBURGH — The Pirates announced during Friday's game against the Reds that they have placed left-hander Paul Maholm on the 15-day disabled list due to a left shoulder strain.  The placement is retroactive to Aug. 18, meaning that Maholm …

Brandon Phillips knocks in 4 as Reds beat Pirates 11-8  —  PITTSBURGH - Joey Votto hit his 21st homer of the season and later scored the game-winning run in the top of the ninth inning to lead the Cincinnati Reds past the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-8 on Friday night.

Brewers wait out lengthy rain delay to beat Mets  —  NEW YORK — Prince Fielder hit a pair of RBI singles and then confronted Mets reliever Tim Byrdak after an inside pitch, and the streaking Milwaukee Brewers waited out a rain delay of nearly three hours before beating the lost-at-home New York Mets 6-1 Friday night.

Tigers expand AL Central lead with win over Indians  —  DETROIT — Max Scherzer pitched seven strong innings and the first-place Detroit Tigers hit three homers in a 4-1 victory over the second-place Cleveland Indians on Friday night.  —  The Indians could have taken over the AL Central lead …