Pitcher Serafini draws a 50-game suspension

Former Colorado Rockies pitcher Dan Serafini was suspended for 50 games Tuesday, the second player to fail a test for a performance-enhancing drug this season under Major League Baseball’s testing program.

The 33-year-old left-hander played in three games and gave up two earned runs in one-third of an inning with the Rockies last season. Serafini, a free agent, has played for Minnesota, the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh, San Diego and Cincinnati.

Serafini blamed the positive result on substances prescribed by a doctor in Japan, where he was limited to 16 games in 2006 and 2007 because of what he described as “significant injuries.”

Catcher Jason Kendall will be guaranteed $4.25 million under the one-year contract he is expected to sign with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Pitcher Doug Brocail and the Houston Astros agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract, a deal that includes a team option for 2009.

Pitcher Mike Hampton of the Atlanta Braves hurt his right hamstring during the first inning of his first start in the Mexican Winter League. The former 20-game winner will need up to a month to recover.

Doctors examining Juan Lara say the Cleveland Indians reliever has a spinal fracture, plus severe brain trauma from a weekend car accident in the Dominican Republic. Doctors have not determined whether there will be any paralysis.

Left-hander Mike Bacsik, who gave up Barry Bonds’ record-breaking 756th homer, agreed to terms on a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals. Bacsik went 5-8 with a 5.11 earned-run average in 29 games with 20 starts last season for Washington.

SOCCER

Beckham scores in Galaxy’s exhibition loss

David Beckham bent a trademark free kick into goal during the Galaxy’s 5-3 loss to Sydney FC in an exhibition before 80,295 at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney, Australia.

Beckham also injured his left ankle in the match but continued to play.

Inter Milan, AS Roma and Sevilla advanced to the second round of the European Champions League with victories and Barcelona gained a berth in the final 16 with a tie.

Inter won, 3-0, over visiting Fenerbahce. Roma won, 4-1, at Dynamo Kiev. Sevilla won, 3-1, over visiting Arsenal. Barcelona clinched first in Group E with a 2-2 tie at Lyon. Manchester United assured itself of first place in Group F with a 2-1 victory over visiting Sporting Lisbon.

Alex McLeish resigned as Scotland’s national coach, clearing the way for him to become manager of Birmingham of the English Premier League.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Two accuse Knight in birdshot incidents

Two people said Texas Tech Coach Bob Knight or his hunting companion hit them with birdshot on two occasions last month.

Neither person was injured or required medical treatment, and no criminal charges were filed.

Arizona’s Coach Lute Olson, on a leave of absence since Nov. 4, will return for some practices, but not for games just yet.

MISCELLANY

Golden Gate Yacht Club scores win over Alinghi

A San Francisco yacht club won its court case against America’s Cup champion Alinghi, giving its sailing crew the right to race the Swiss in a head-to-head series for the oldest trophy in international sports next July if the sides can’t agree to a traditional regatta.

New York State Supreme Court Judge Herman J. Cahn ruled that the Golden Gate Yacht Club, which backs BMW Oracle Racing, is the Challenger of Record, meaning it can help negotiate the rules for the next regatta.

Russian Davis Cup team captain Shamil Tarpischev said Marat Safin wasn’t going to compete against the U.S. in the Davis Cup final, which begins Friday in Portland, Ore.

World Cup overall champion Aksel Lund Svindal crashed during downhill training in Beaver Creek, Colo., and was hospitalized with broken bones in his face and a deep cut on his buttock.

Deutsche Telekom AG ended its sponsorship of professional cycling, saying doping scandals have put the sport in peril.

The United States defeated Australia, 25-17, 25-12, 25-19, at the men’s volleyball World Cup in Okayama, Japan.

PASSINGS

Durden, former UCLA cornerback, was 47

Michael Durden, a UCLA cornerback from 1979 to 1982, died in Torrance of complications from diabetes. He was 47.