The Washington Nationals named Mike Rizzo their permanent general manager Thursday, eliminating a season-long interim tag. The announcement also erased several media reports about other candidates being hired. Rizzo's ability earlier this week to sign No.

Carlos Zambrano worked five innings and put Chicago in front with a two-run double Friday, lifting the Cubs to a 3-1 decision over Washington. The Nationals again failed to bring Jim Riggleman his first win in the two games the team has played since he took over as manager Monday for the fired Manny Acta. Zambrano (6-4) gave up a bases-loaded walk in the first inning but wound up limiting Washington to four hits while winning his second straight start. Four relievers combined to hold Washington scoreless on two hits over the final four innings, with Kevin Gregg recording two strikeouts in the ninth for his 17th save. The Cubs put runners on second and third with two away in the second and Zambrano doubled them home for a 2-1 lead.

Rich Harden worked 6 2/3 innings Thursday, and the Chicago Cubs spoiled the managerial debut of Jim Riggleman with a 6-2 win over the Nationals. Harden (6-6) had lost two straight starts and five of his last seven, but gave up only an unearned run on three hits to go with seven strikeouts. Ryan Theriot doubled home a run in the first and had a sacrifice fly during Chicago's three-run ninth.

The Washington Nationals, who entered baseball's All-Star break with the worst record in the major leagues, Monday fired Manager Manny Acta. Acta was in his third season as the Washington manager. He amassed a record 158-252.

Oakland Athletics bench coach Don Wakamatsu has been hired to be the manager of the Seattle Mariners. Wakamatsu, 45, becomes the first Asian-American to manager a U.S. major-league team. His major-league playing experience totaled 18 games as a catcher for the Chicago White Sox in 1991.