AP - The Chicago Cubs arrived in Milwaukee at the beginning of the week with a one-game lead over the Brewers in the NL Central. It doesn't look like that any more. Alfonso Soriano reached base five times and Ryan Dempster pitched seven strong innings to lead Chicago to its third straight win over Milwaukee, 7-2 on Wednesday night.

AFP - British forward Luol Deng signed his new contract with the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls, the club announced Thursday.

AP - Juli Inkster had an eagle and five birdies Thursday in a record-tying 7-under 65 to take the early lead at the Women's British Open, and Annika Sorenstam had a miserable start to her final major.

AP - LeBron James scored 20 points and was a defensive force Thursday night in his exhibition debut, helping the U.S. Olympic basketball team overcome some early sloppy play to beat Turkey 114-82 in its first game in China.

AP - Manny Ramirez may have played his final game with the Boston Red Sox, or he could lead the team that he says doesn't deserve him to another World Series championship.

AP - Ken Griffey Jr. agreed Thursday to accept a trade to the Chicago White Sox, leaving it up to the commissioner's office to approve the deal because money is involved, a person with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press.

AFP - Russia's Maria Sharapova withdrew from the WTA Rogers Cup Wednesday just moments after winning a marathon second-round match over Marta Domachowska.

AP - Penn State defensive tackles Chris Baker and Phil Taylor, who were involved in off-field fights last year, have been kicked off the team by coach Joe Paterno.

AP - Mark Parrish's homecoming didn't work out. The Minnesota Wild bought out the final three years of the right winger's contract on Wednesday, ending Parrish's frustrating return to his hometown market. Parrish cleared waivers and is now an unrestricted free agent.

AFP - Rafael Benitez believes he has already seen signs that his new strike force of Robbie Keane and Fernando Torres will gel ahead of the start of Liverpool's coming campaign.

AP - Dan Haren pitched seven solid innings, Chad Tracy and Mark Reynolds each drove in two runs and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the San Diego Padres 7-3 Wednesday night.

AP - JaMarcus Russell was held out of team drills for the second straight practice Wednesday because his throwing elbow was still sore after banging it off the helmet of Darren McFadden.

AP - Apparently, Chase Utley means it when he says he feels fine. Utley homered for the second consecutive game, providing the big blow in a five-run fifth inning, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat Washington 8-5 Wednesday night to move back atop the NL East with their fourth victory in a row.