Ned Colletti deflects Cubs GM talk  —  LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti, who grew up in Chicago and began his baseball career as a publicist and later a baseball-operations assistant with the Chicago Cubs, declined to directly address rumors he could be a candidate …

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 …

Roenicke OK with no lefties in the bullpen  —  NEW YORK — No left-handers in the bullpen?  No problem, says Brewers manager Ron Roenicke.  —  He remains all right with the Brewers' all-righty relief corps, and said there is a strong chance they will go without a lefty reliever until rosters expand Sept. 1.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia helps Red Sox beat Royals 7-1  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Jarrod Saltalamacchia pounded out a three-run homer, left-hander Andrew Miller gave Red Sox [team stats] manager Terry Francona precisely what he was looking for and Boston rolled to a 7-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals 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 …

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 …

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.