AFP - Star midfielder Michael Ballack said he had nothing left to prove in the latter part of his career and backed Chelsea's 30-somethings to have the last laugh over Manchester United's Alex Ferguson.

AP - Wandy Rodriguez allowed one run on three hits over six innings to help the Houston Astros snap the Milwaukee Brewers' eight-game winning streak with a 3-1 victory on Friday night.

AP - Vernon Gholston was ready to hit the books after taking the field for the first time as the New York Jets' latest millionaire.

AP - Edwin Jackson surpassed his victory total for last season and the Tampa Bay Rays snapped a seven-game road losing streak with a 5-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.

AP - Mike Pelfrey won his seventh consecutive decision and Carlos Delgado homered again, leading the New York Mets to a 7-2 victory over the slumping St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.

AP - If Brett Favre plans to show for the Green Bay Packers' training camp, he'll need permission from the NFL. And as of Friday evening, he had not petitioned the league for reinstatement.

AP - The New York Yankees got a win over their biggest rival, and two of the most coveted players on the trade market. Not a bad way to begin the weekend.

AP - Joba Chamberlain dominated the Boston Red Sox with his best major league start and the surging New York Yankees moved two games behind their longtime rivals with a 1-0 victory Friday night.

AP - Helen Alfredsson shot a course-record 9-under 63 Friday to pull within a shot of leader Angela Park after the second round of the Evian Masters.

AFP - French giantkiller Gilles Simon will move deep into the world top 20 next week after reaching the Toronto Masters semi-finals with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 win over Croatian Marin Cilic on Friday.

AFP - Sir Alex Ferguson has cooled speculation linking him with a role as manager of Great Britain's football team at the 2012 London Olympics.