MLB: Braves reel in Marlins

In Miami, Omar Infante hit a two-run triple in the seventh and Kenshin Kawakami pitched six effective innings to carry the Braves past the Marlins 5-2 in a matchup of NL wild-card contenders . . . In Chicago, Carlos Lee hit a two-run home run and drove in four runs, leading the Astros to a 5-3 victory over the Cubs.

* Brad Penny, who was released by the Red Sox last week, agreed to a minor league contract with the Giants. . . . In Detroit, Carlos Pena hit his AL-best 38th homer as the Rays beat the Tigers, 11-7. Tampa Bay hosts the Red Sox tonight, the start of a three-game series.

* Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia likely will need season-ending surgery on his right arm. . . . The Royals extended GM Dayton Moore‘s contract through 2014.

GRID: Michigan coach’s emotional defense

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said that his football program has abided by NCAA rules, despite allegations from anonymous players and former players who say the team has practiced far beyond the time allowed. At a news conference, Rodriguez became emotional and had to gather himself several times with glassy eyes.

* UCLA plans to play its football season opener Saturday while monitoring the wildfires in the Los Angeles hills above the Rose Bowl.

ETC.: Nicklaus set for Masters ‘honor’

Augusta National announced that Jack Nicklaus will join Arnold Palmer as an honorary starter for next year’s Masters. Nicklaus says he accepted the invitation because it was also supported by Palmer.

* Former NASCAR champion Bobby Labonte won’t race this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and will be replaced by youngster Erik Darnell, because of sponsorship issues at Yates Racing.

* The Islanders acquired minor-league forward Bobby Hughes from the Hurricanes in exchange for minor leaguer Rob Henniger.

* Ricky Rubio‘s Spanish pro team has agreed to trade his rights to Regal FC Barcelona in a deal that will prevent the 18-year-old point guard, the No. 5 pick in June’s NBA Draft, from joining the Minnesota Timberwolves for two years.