Sports Briefs

Quarterback Patrick Pinkney ran for two touchdowns to help East Carolina beat Memphis 38-19 last night.

Dominique Lindsay ran for 139 yards for the Pirates (5-3, 4-1 Conference USA), who warmed up for a game against No. 14 Virginia Tech by rolling up nearly 500 yards on one of the country's worst defenses.

The Tigers, who rank 106th in total defense, fumbled twice to set up early scores for East Carolina.

The lawyer for a 21-year-old man charged with killing University of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard says his client was trying to break up a fight and was not involved in the stabbing that took the starting cornerback's life.

John William Lomax III is charged with murder and conspiracy to commit assault in connection with Howard's death outside a school-sanctioned dance on Oct. 18. He is being held in lieu of $2 million bond.

Another man, Hakim Muhammad, 20, was charged with conspiracy to commit assault. Both live in Bloomfield, around 30 miles from the UConn campus, and are scheduled to make their first court appearances this morning.

BASEBALL: The $845 million sale of the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field and other assets from the Tribune Co. to the Ricketts family was completed, more than 2½ years after the baseball franchise was put on the market.

The family of billionaire Joe Ricketts, the founder of Omaha, Neb.-based TD Ameritrade, takes a 95 percent controlling interest in the baseball franchise, its storied ballpark and 25 percent of Comcast Sportsnet, which broadcasts many Cubs games.

GOLF: Two golf magazines reported that Michael Whan has been selected new LPGA Tour commissioner and will be introduced this morning in New York.

He will replace Carolyn Bivens, who was ousted by the players this summer.

PRO FOOTBALL: Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson issued his second apology in 12 months and was told to stay away from the team while the NFL and the Chiefs complete their investigation into his use of a gay slur.

As Johnson was releasing his apology, a national gay rights advocacy organization called on the league and the team to take disciplinary action against the two-time Pro Bowler.

The latest chapter in Johnson's stormy career began Sunday night when he questioned coach Todd Haley's football credentials on his Twitter account. He used the slur during an exchange with one of his Twitter followers. A day later, he used it again as he brushed off reporters and told them he would not comment, according to the Kansas City Star, which recorded the comment.

FOR THE RECORD

BASEBALL

American League

KANSAS CITY ROYALS-Named Steve Foster bullpen coach and Kyle Turner assistant trainer.

TAMPA BAY RAYS-Agreed to terms with OF Gabe Kapler on a one-year contract.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS-Announced the appointment Paul Beeston as president and CEO of the team for a three year term.

National League

HOUSTON ASTROS-Named Brad Mills manager. Sent C Chris Coste outright to Round Rock (PCL).

WASHINGTON NATIONALS-Named Casey McKeon director of player procurement and Jay Robertson special assistant to the general manager.

FOOTBALL

National Football League

ATLANTA FALCONS-Signed RB Aaron Stecker. Placed S William Moore on injured reserve. Placed CB Glenn Sharpe on the practice squad-injured list. Signed S Eric Brock to the practice squad.

CAROLINA PANTHERS-Waived DB Keith Lewis. Activated DB Dante Wesley from the reserved-suspended list.

MIAMI DOLPHINS-Signed LB William Kershaw. Placed CB Will Allen on injured reserve.

NEW YORK JETS-Re-signed CB-KR Justin Miller. Placed RB Leon Washington on injured reserve.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS-Placed OT Tony Pashos on injured reserve.

HOCKEY

National Hockey League

NHL-Suspended Dallas F Steve Ott for two games as the result of a low-hit on St. Louis D Carlo Colaiacovo in an Oct. 24 game.

LACROSSE

National Lacrosse League

CALGARY ROUGHNECKS-Signed F Spencer Martin and F Kaleb Toth.

SOCCER

Major League Soccer

FC DALLAS-Announced they will not renew the contract of general manager Michael Hitchcock.

COLLEGE

ECAC-Named Joseph Clinton, Mark Griffin and Andrea Savage to the board of directors.

BOSTON COLLEGE-Announced freshman QB Justin Tuggle and sophomore RB Josh Haden will transfer.

DELAWARE-Named Ryan Glennon men's assistant lacrosse coach.

EASTERN WASHINGTON-Announced the NCAA reversed a postseason ban on the football team, making them eligible for this year's Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.