Around the leagues

Oakland announced it had reached agreement on a three-year contract with manager Bob Melvin. He owns a 535-557 career managerial record in eight seasons. … Toronto third baseman Brett Lawrie (finger) will miss the rest of the season. …Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes has received an injection of painkiller to alleviate a seven-year-old back injury that recurred. … White Sox shortstop Omar Vizquel, 44, wants to return for a 24th season.

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs’ right-hander Carlos Zambrano will sit out the rest of the season after his 30-day suspension ends after games of Sept. 11.

The Cubs said Friday they’ll pay Zambrano after the suspension ends but there’s insufficient time for him to get ready to pitch again. The Cubs also said a grievance filed on Zambrano’s behalf will be processed by the players’ union, Major League Baseball and the team during the offseason.

Zambrano cleaned out his locker and talked about retiring after giving up five homers and being ejected during a loss to Atlanta on Aug. 12. His ejection followed two inside pitches to Chipper Jones.

He said he intended to be at the ballpark the next day, but his agent Barry Praver told him not to “because we were in the middle of discussions with the union and the Cubs.” The Cubs placed Zambrano on the disqualified list the next day and said he would receive no pay and have no part in team activities for 30 days.

“It was a disappointing situation and we’ll let things take their course now,” manager Mike Quade said Friday before a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field.

“That’s it, let’s see where the grievance situation goes. They’ve made decisions and that’s where we’re at now.”

Zambrano was also put on a restricted list last season after he became incensed by what he thought was poor defense against the White Sox and got into a shouting match with then-teammate Derrek Lee. Zambrano underwent anger management counseling, returned to the team and pitched well.

Asked whether Zambrano can still be a winning pitcher in the major leagues, Quade said: “He was. Depending on how this plays out, he’s still got something to offer. The numbers bear that out.”

The Cubs expected more when Zambrano signed a $91.5 million deal over five seasons through 2012, including a $17.85 million salary this season and $18 million in 2012.

Zambrano is 125-81 with a 3.60 career ERA after breaking in with the Cubs in 2001. He has thrown a no-hitter against the Astros. He was 9-7 this season before the suspension, but his pitching has often been overshadowed by his outbursts.

In 2009, he went on tirade against an umpire, throwing a baseball into the outfield, pretending to eject the umpire and slamming his glove against the dugout fence, a tantrum that led to a suspension.

In 2007, he got into a fight with teammate and catcher Michael Barrett, first in the dugout and then in the locker room. Barrett ended up with a bruise under his eye and a cut lip.

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs’ right-hander Carlos Zambrano will sit out the rest of the season after his 30-day suspension ends after games of Sept. 11.

The Cubs said Friday they’ll pay Zambrano after the suspension ends but there’s insufficient time for him to get ready to pitch again. The Cubs also said a grievance filed on Zambrano’s behalf will be processed by the players’ union, Major League Baseball and the team during the offseason.

Zambrano cleaned out his locker and talked about retiring after giving up five homers and being ejected during a loss to Atlanta on Aug. 12. His ejection followed two inside pitches to Chipper Jones.

He said he intended to be at the ballpark the next day, but his agent Barry Praver told him not to “because we were in the middle of discussions with the union and the Cubs.” The Cubs placed Zambrano on the disqualified list the next day and said he would receive no pay and have no part in team activities for 30 days.

Zambrano was also put on a restricted list last season after he became incensed by what he thought was poor defense against the White Sox and got into a shouting match with then-teammate Derrek Lee. Zambrano underwent anger management counseling, returned to the team and pitched well.

The Cubs expected more when Zambrano signed a $91.5 million deal over five seasons through 2012, including a $17.85 million salary this season and $18 million in 2012.

Zambrano is 125-81 with a 3.60 career ERA after breaking in with the Cubs in 2001. He has thrown a no-hitter against the Astros. He was 9-7 this season before the suspension, but his pitching has often been overshadowed by his outbursts.

In 2009, he went on tirade against an umpire, throwing a baseball into the outfield, pretending to eject the umpire and slamming his glove against the dugout fence, a tantrum that led to a suspension.

In 2007, he got into a fight with teammate and catcher Michael Barrett, first in the dugout and then in the locker room. Barrett ended up with a bruise under his eye and a cut lip.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs’ right-hander Carlos Zambrano will sit out the rest of the season after his 30-day suspension ends after games of Sept. 11.

The Cubs said Friday they’ll pay Zambrano after the suspension ends but there’s insufficient time for him to get ready to pitch again. The Cubs also said a grievance filed on Zambrano’s behalf will be processed by the players’ union, Major League Baseball and the team during the offseason.

Zambrano cleaned out his locker and talked about retiring after giving up five homers and being ejected during a loss to Atlanta on Aug. 12. His ejection followed two inside pitches to Chipper Jones.

He said he intended to be at the ballpark the next day, but his agent Barry Praver told him not to “because we were in the middle of discussions with the union and the Cubs.” The Cubs placed Zambrano on the disqualified list the next day and said he would receive no pay and have no part in team activities for 30 days.

Zambrano was also put on a restricted list last season after he became incensed by what he thought was poor defense against the White Sox and got into a shouting match with then-teammate Derrek Lee. Zambrano underwent anger management counseling, returned to the team and pitched well.

The Cubs expected more when Zambrano signed a $91.5 million deal over five seasons through 2012, including a $17.85 million salary this season and $18 million in 2012.

Zambrano is 125-81 with a 3.60 career ERA after breaking in with the Cubs in 2001. He has thrown a no-hitter against the Astros. He was 9-7 this season before the suspension, but his pitching has often been overshadowed by his outbursts.

In 2009, he went on tirade against an umpire, throwing a baseball into the outfield, pretending to eject the umpire and slamming his glove against the dugout fence, a tantrum that led to a suspension.

In 2007, he got into a fight with teammate and catcher Michael Barrett, first in the dugout and then in the locker room. Barrett ended up with a bruise under his eye and a cut lip.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs’ right-hander Carlos Zambrano will sit out the rest of the season after his 30-day suspension ends after games of Sept. 11.

The Cubs said Friday they’ll pay Zambrano after the suspension ends but there’s insufficient time for him to get ready to pitch again. The Cubs also said a grievance filed on Zambrano’s behalf will be processed by the players’ union, Major League Baseball and the team during the offseason.

Zambrano cleaned out his locker and talked about retiring after giving up five homers and being ejected during a loss to Atlanta on Aug. 12. His ejection followed two inside pitches to Chipper Jones.

He said he intended to be at the ballpark the next day, but his agent Barry Praver told him not to “because we were in the middle of discussions with the union and the Cubs.” The Cubs placed Zambrano on the disqualified list the next day and said he would receive no pay and have no part in team activities for 30 days.

Zambrano was also put on a restricted list last season after he became incensed by what he thought was poor defense against the White Sox and got into a shouting match with then-teammate Derrek Lee. Zambrano underwent anger management counseling, returned to the team and pitched well.

The Cubs expected more when Zambrano signed a $91.5 million deal over five seasons through 2012, including a $17.85 million salary this season and $18 million in 2012.

Zambrano is 125-81 with a 3.60 career ERA after breaking in with the Cubs in 2001. He has thrown a no-hitter against the Astros. He was 9-7 this season before the suspension, but his pitching has often been overshadowed by his outbursts.

In 2009, he went on tirade against an umpire, throwing a baseball into the outfield, pretending to eject the umpire and slamming his glove against the dugout fence, a tantrum that led to a suspension.

In 2007, he got into a fight with teammate and catcher Michael Barrett, first in the dugout and then in the locker room. Barrett ended up with a bruise under his eye and a cut lip.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Chicago Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano cleaned out his locker and talked about retiring after giving up five homers and being ejected during a loss in to Atlanta on Aug. 12. (Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press)

Chicago Cubs’ right-hander Carlos Zambrano will sit out the rest of the season after his 30-day suspension ends after games of Sept. 11.

The Cubs said Friday they’ll pay Zambrano after the suspension ends but there’s insufficient time for him to get ready to pitch again. The Cubs also said a grievance filed on Zambrano’s behalf will be processed by the players’ union, Major League Baseball and the team during the off-season.

Zambrano cleaned out his locker and talked about retiring after giving up five homers and being ejected during a loss to Atlanta on Aug. 12. His ejection followed two inside pitches to Chipper Jones.

He said he intended to be at the ballpark the next day, but his agent Barry Praver told him not to “because we were in the middle of discussions with the union and the Cubs.” The Cubs placed Zambrano on the disqualified list the next day and said he would receive no pay and have no part in team activities for 30 days.

“It was a disappointing situation and we’ll let things take their course now,” manager Mike Quade said Friday before a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field.

“That’s it, let’s see where the grievance situation goes. They’ve made decisions and that’s where we’re at now.”

Zambrano was also put on a restricted list last season after he became incensed by what he thought was poor defence against the White Sox and got into a shouting match with then-teammate Derrek Lee. Zambrano underwent anger management counselling, returned to the team and pitched well.

Asked whether Zambrano can still be a winning pitcher in the major leagues, Quade said: “He was. Depending on how this plays out, he’s still got something to offer. The numbers bear that out.”

The Cubs expected more when Zambrano signed a $91.5 million US deal over five seasons through 2012, including a $17.85 million salary this season and $18 million in 2012.

Zambrano is 125-81 with a 3.60 career earned-run average after breaking in with the Cubs in 2001. He has thrown a no-hitter against the Astros. He was 9-7 this season before the suspension, but his pitching has often been overshadowed by his outbursts.

In 2009, he went on tirade against an umpire, throwing a baseball into the outfield, pretending to eject the umpire and slamming his glove against the dugout fence, a tantrum that led to a suspension.

In 2007, he got into a fight with teammate and catcher Michael Barrett, first in the dugout and then in the locker room. Barrett ended up with a bruise under his eye and a cut lip.

Matt Garza pitched seven sharp innings, Aramis Ramirez homered and the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 Saturday.

Garza (6-9) scattered five hits, struck out eight and won at Wrigley Field for the first time since June 27.

Sean Marshall, Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol finished off the shutout. Marmol earned his 29th save in 37 chances.

Ramirez’s two-run homer highlighted a three-run burst in the fourth off Edwin Jackson (2-2). Jackson allowed five hits in seven innings after leaving his last start with a right hamstring cramp.

Garza had been solid at home lately with a 1.75 ERA in his previous five starts. But the Cubs had scored a total of just seven runs in those games, leaving him with an 0-2 record.

Early on, it looked as if it might be more of the same for Garza after Jackson held the Cubs hitless and faced the minimum through three innings. Things changed in the fourth as the Cubs hit for the cycle.

Starlin Castro led off with a single and Ramirez connected one out later for his 24th home run. Carlos Pena then tripled and Marlon Byrd doubled.

Ramirez’s homer was Chicago’s 29th in August, most in the majors.

The Cubs helped themselves by turning two double plays. Before the game, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said his team’s propensity for hitting into DPs as “brutal.” St. Louis has hit into 136 double plays this season, by far the most in the majors.

It was Jackson’s turn to be a hard-luck loser despite pitching effectively for the fourth time in five starts since he was traded to St. Louis. Jackson was making his first appearance in Chicago since being dealt by the crosstown White Sox on July 27.

Garza started slowly, allowing a leadoff double to John Jay in the first and later walking two batters to load the bases. He recovered to get David Freese on an inning-ending double play, the first of 10 straight batters he retired.

The attendance was announced at 42,374, up 31 from Friday’s gathering, which was the Cubs’ largest crowd since opening day in 1978.

NOTES: Cubs manager Mike Quade said he hasn’t spoken to pitcher Carlos Zambrano since he left the team’s clubhouse in during a game Atlanta on Aug. 12, but expects to at some point. Zambrano was subsequently placed on the disqualified list. The Cubs have won five of seven games since Zambrano left the team. … St. Louis OF Matt Holliday and SS Rafael Furcal were out of the lineup for what La Russa called a “mental and physical part day off.” Holliday entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the seventh. … Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan left the team and returned to St. Louis to attend to a personal matter. He is expected to rejoin the club when it returns home on Monday. Bullpen coach Derek Lilliquist will fill in for Duncan. … Ramirez’s homer was his 12th first-pitch shot this season, most in the majors. … St. Louis’ Lance Berkman, who entered August with 28 home runs, has gone homerless in 17 games so far this month. … Chicago’s Rodrigo Lopez will face St. Louis’ Jake Westbrook in Sunday’s series finale. Lopez is 4-6 with a 6.44 ERA in eight career games against St. Louis. Westbrook has a 9.72 ERA in two starts against the Cubs this season.

CHICAGO — Tyler Colvin’s RBI single in the 10th inning off Octavio Dotel lifted the Chicago Cubs to a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.

Geovany Soto led off the 10th with a single off Dotel (0-2), advanced to second on Marlon Byrd’s sacrifice bunt, and scored on Colvin’s hit to center field just hours after the Cubs fired general manager Jim Hendry.

Soto also had a game-tying RBI double in the eighth inning. Darwin Barney homered and tripled, and Starlin Castro added two hits for the Cubs. Sean Marshall (6-5) pitched a perfect 10th to earn the win.

Castro, who leads the NL with 162 hits, has 301 in his career. He is the fifth Cubs player to pass 300 in his first two seasons.

Chicago beat the rival Cardinals for just the third time in 10 games this season, delighting a home crowd of 42,343 — the largest at Wrigley Field since the home opener in 1978.

The Cubs responded in their first game following the firing of Hendry, who was let go about three hours before the game. He was replaced on an interim basis by assistant general manager Randy Bush.
Yadier Molina hit a two-run homer for the Cardinals, and David Freese added a solo shot.

Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia left with a 4-3 lead after he scattered nine hits in 6 1/3 innings. Garcia, who entered the game hitting .085, added an RBI single.

Chicago’s Randy Wells gave up four hits in seven innings and struck out five. He set down the Cardinals in order in four of his seven innings, but was hurt by homers by Molina and Freese.

The Cubs nearly won the game in the ninth, but ran themselves out of the inning.

Tony Campana reached first leading off the ninth when second baseman Ryan Theriot bobbled a routine grounder for an error, but he was doubled up when Castro flied to center on what appeared to be a hit-and-run play. Reed Johnson followed with a two-out single, and Aramis Ramirez walked, but the threat ended when Carlos Pena flied out to right.

After trailing for 7 1/2 innings, the Cubs tied it 4-4 in the eighth. Soto’s double into the left-field corner scored Pena all the way from first base.

Molina’s second-inning homer opened the scoring, and Garcia’s single up the middle scored Theriot to make it 3-0. Freese hit a solo shot in the fourth to put the Cardinals ahead 4-1. He has an RBI in seven of his last eight games.

Barney brought the Cubs within 4-2 with his second homer of the season, landing a shot just barely into the basket in the left-field corner. His previous homer was April 25 against Colorado.

Barney added a triple when Lance Berkman overran a blooper into the right-field corner in the seventh. He scored when pinch-hitter Blake DeWitt’s fly to center was misplayed by John Jay, and the ball rolled to the wall for another triple.

With DeWitt on third and one out, representing the tying run, Jason Motte relieved Garcia and worked out of the jam by striking out Castro and getting Johnson on a grounder.

Notes:St. Louis’ Allen Craig made his first career start in center field as manager Tony La Russa wanted to give the slumping Jay a break. Jay replaced Craig in the fifth inning. Cubs pitcher Andrew Cashner threw his third live batting practice session on Friday, the latest step in his recovery from a strained right rotator cuff that has had him on the disabled list since April 6. Larry King sang “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch. Edwin Jackson will start for the Cardinals on Saturday against the Cubs’ Matt Garza. Jackson will be making his first in Chicago since being dealt by the crosstown White Sox on July 27. He’s won both of his career starts against the Cubs. Garza is 1-1 with a 7.80 ERA in three career starts against St. Louis. The big crowd was entertained by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds practicing over Lake Michigan a few blocks east of Wrigley Field during the middle part of the game in advance of the weekend’s air and water show in Chicago.

CHICAGO (AP) — Tyler Colvin’s RBI single in the 10th inning off Octavio Dotel lifted the Chicago Cubs to a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.

Geovany Soto led off the 10th with a single off Dotel (0-2), advanced to second on Marlon Byrd’s sacrifice bunt, and scored on Colvin’s hit to center field just hours after the Cubs fired general manager Jim Hendry.

Soto also had a game-tying RBI double in the eighth inning. Darwin Barney homered and tripled, and Starlin Castro added two hits for the Cubs. Sean Marshall (6-5) pitched a perfect 10th to earn the win.

Castro, who leads the NL with 162 hits, has 301 in his career. He is the fifth Cubs player to pass 300 in his first two seasons.

Chicago beat the rival Cardinals for just the third time in 10 games this season, delighting a home crowd of 42,343 — the largest at Wrigley Field since the home opener in 1978.

The Cubs responded in their first game following the firing of Hendry, who was let go about three hours before the game. He was replaced on an interim basis by assistant general manager Randy Bush.

Yadier Molina hit a two-run homer for the Cardinals, and David Freese added a solo shot.

Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia left with a 4-3 lead after he scattered nine hits in 6 1-3 innings. Garcia, who entered the game hitting .085, added an RBI single.

Chicago’s Randy Wells gave up four hits in seven innings and struck out five. He set down the Cardinals in order in four of his seven innings, but was hurt by homers by Molina and Freese.

The Cubs nearly won the game in the ninth, but ran themselves out of the inning.

Tony Campana reached first leading off the ninth when second baseman Ryan Theriot bobbled a routine grounder for an error, but he was doubled up when Castro flied to center on what appeared to be a hit-and-run play. Reed Johnson followed with a two-out single, and Aramis Ramirez walked, but the threat ended when Carlos Pena flied out to right.

After trailing for 7½ innings, the Cubs tied it 4-4 in the eighth. Soto’s double into the left-field corner scored Pena all the way from first base.

Molina’s second-inning homer opened the scoring, and Garcia’s single up the middle scored Theriot to make it 3-0. Freese hit a solo shot in the fourth to put the Cardinals ahead 4-1. He has an RBI in seven of his last eight games.

Barney brought the Cubs within 4-2 with his second homer of the season, landing a shot just barely into the basket in the left-field corner. His previous homer was April 25 against Colorado.

Barney added a triple when Lance Berkman overran a blooper into the right-field corner in the seventh. He scored when pinch-hitter Blake DeWitt’s fly to center was misplayed by John Jay, and the ball rolled to the wall for another triple.

With DeWitt on third and one out, representing the tying run, Jason Motte relieved Garcia and worked out of the jam by striking out Castro and getting Johnson on a grounder.

NOTES: St. Louis’ Allen Craig made his first career start in center field as manager Tony La Russa wanted to give the slumping Jay a break. Jay replaced Craig in the fifth inning. Cubs pitcher Andrew Cashner threw his third live batting practice session on Friday, the latest step in his recovery from a strained right rotator cuff that has had him on the disabled list since April 6. Larry King sang “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch. Edwin Jackson will start for the Cardinals on Saturday against the Cubs’ Matt Garza. Jackson will be making his first in Chicago since being dealt by the crosstown White Sox on July 27. He’s won both of his career starts against the Cubs. Garza is 1-1 with a 7.80 ERA in three career starts against St. Louis. The big crowd was entertained by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds practicing over Lake Michigan a few blocks east of Wrigley Field during the middle part of the game in advance of the weekend’s air and water show in Chicago.