Johnston Returns as Penguin Coach

Eddie Johnston, who changed hockey history by drafting Mario Lemieux, ended a 10-year coaching layoff by returning Tuesday to the two-time Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

Johnston, 57, is a longtime NHL player, coach and general manager.

Soccer

The U.S. soccer team wasted a three-goal lead in the last 25 minutes and was eliminated from its first America Cup with a 3-3 tie against Venezuela on Tuesday night in Quito, Ecuador.

“It’s inexcusable for us to be up 3-0 and let a team come back like that,” U.S. midfielder Alexi Lalas said. “We lost out composure and our position.”

Basketball

NBC’s coverage of the NBA finals set a ratings record, according to Nielsen figures.

The series earned an average rating of 17.9 with a 33 share for six games, all in prime time. The previous record was 15.9-32 for CBS’ coverage of the 1987 finals between the Lakers and Boston Celtics.

Argentina beat the United States, 82-80, in the Under 22 basketball tournament at Rosario, Argentina. Both teams, along with Brazil, had already clinched berths in the world championships next month in Valladolid, Spain.

The University of New Orleans said that none of the charges made after a 16-month internal investigation of the school’s basketball program involve current coaches or athletes. The investigation found more than a dozen improprieties.

Football

Defensive lineman Chris Mims of the San Diego Chargers was arrested and jailed for two hours on three outstanding misdemeanor warrants, police said.

Nearly two years after Eric Ramsey claimed to have received money and other illegal benefits to play for Auburn, the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions will hear the case next week in Kansas City.

Former Auburn coach Pat Dye, forced out by the alleged wrongdoing, will attend the meeting, as will Dye’s successor, Terry Bowden, who wasn’t named in the charges.

Baseball

Gary Sheffield of the San Diego Padres faces arraignment today in Houston on a misdemeanor assault charge.

Sheffield will not be present--the Padres will be in San Francisco playing the Giants. Houston lawyer Chris Tritico will represent Sheffield and enter his innocent plea.

Cal State Fullerton standout Damon Allen, brother of NFL running back Marcus Allen, signed as a free-agent pitcher with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Bubba Phillips, a third baseman who played for the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians in the 1950s and ‘60s, died of a heart attack in Hattiesburg, Miss. He was 65.

Miscellany

Casey Boyns of Pacific Grove won the medal in the stroke-play portion of the 82nd annual California Amateur golf championship at Pebble Beach.

Boyns, who won the title in 1989, rallied for a second-round 70 and a 36-hole total of 143, then won a playoff with Kevin Riley of El Cajon. Match play begins today.

Undefeated Michael Moorer, the WBA’s No. 1-ranked heavyweight challenger, stopped James Pritchard on a technical knockout with 24 seconds remaining in the third round of a scheduled 10-round fight in Atlantic City. . . . In a ceremony at the Detroit arena bearing his name, late boxer Joe Louis was honored by the U.S. Postal Service with a stamp bearing his likeness. The ceremony was held on the 55th anniversary of Louis’ knockout of Max Schmeling at Yankee Stadium.