Moorad is near deal to buy Padres

Jeff Moorad has resigned as Arizona Diamondbacks chief executive officer and says he has reached an agreement in principle to buy the San Diego Padres.

Moorad said Friday he heads a “small but significant” group of investors that has an exclusive right to complete the specifics of negotiations with Padres owner John Moores. Moorad said he hopes the transaction can be completed in the next three months.

The Diamondbacks promoted team president Derrick Hall to chief executive officer.

Former Dodgers right-hander Scott Proctor has reached an agreement with the Florida Marlins on a $750,000, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations confirmed.

TENNIS

Murray defeats Federer

Andy Murray dominated Roger Federer again, beating the 13-time Grand Slam title winner, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (6), in the semifinals of the Capitala World Tennis Championship at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Murray will play top-ranked Rafael Nadal, who defeated Nikolay Davydenko, 6-2, 6-3.

Murray entered the exhibition with a 4-2 record over Federer.

HOCKEY U.S. falls to Slovakia Jaroslav Janus led Slovakia to a surprising quarterfinal victory over the United States in the world junior hockey championship, making 44 saves in a 5-3 decision at Ottawa. . . . Minnesota Wild star Marian Gaborik will have surgery on his injured left hip on Monday and is expected to be out for about 10 weeks.

PASSINGS

Saari, gold-medal swimmer

Roy Saari, a former world record-holding swimmer and gold medalist at the 1964 Olympics, has died. He was 63. He won nine NCAA individual titles at USC. Story, Section B.