Yao Ming to undergo foot surgery

HOUSTON, July 17 (UPI) -- Veteran Houston Rockets center Yao Ming has decided to undergo surgery on his fractured left foot and likely will miss the 2009-10 season, the team said Friday.

The 7-foot-6 all-star suffered the injury during Houston's 89-70 Game 3 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals.

"After much thought and reflection, I have decided to have surgery on my left foot," Yao said in a statement on the team's Web site. "I am very grateful to have the support of teammates, fans and friends. I dedicate myself to making a completely successful recovery."

Yao missed only two of 246 games in his first three NBA seasons, but has suffered numerous injuries since then -- including a broken bone in his left foot in 2006, a right knee injury in 2007 and a stress fracture in his left foot. He played 55 games in 2007-08.

Hernandez reaches 10 wins

CLEVELAND, July 17 (UPI) -- Felix Hernandez won his sixth straight decision Friday by limiting Cleveland to five hits and carrying Seattle to a 6-2 victory over the Indians.

Hernandez (10-3) went eight innings, giving up both Cleveland runs and striking out eight. He has gone 10 consecutive starts without a loss dating to May 19. Since suffering his last setback, Hernandez has allowed only 11 earned runs in 76 innings.

Seattle scored the game's first five runs and got started in the first when Franklin Gutierrez hit a solo homer against his former team. Gutierrez, who has 11 home runs this season, was traded from Cleveland to Seattle prior to the start of the campaign.

Ronny Cedeno singled in a run in both the fourth and sixth inning and Ichiro Suzuki had his 41st multi-hit game of the season by going 2-for-5. Suzuki has a 13-game hitting streak working.

Cleveland, owner of the worst record in the American League, lost at home for the 11th time in 16 games.

David Huff (4-4) gave up three runs on seven hits in five innings.

Feds make arrest in McNair shooting death

NASHVILLE, July 17 (UPI) -- U.S. agents in Nashville Friday arrested a man who allegedly provided the gun in the shooting death of former NFL quarterback Steve McNair.

Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested Adrian Gilliam Jr. for allegedly providing the gun used by McNair's 20-year-old girlfriend, Sahel Kazemi, in what Nashville police have deemed a murder-suicide July 4 at his condominium.

The agents said Gilliam has a lengthy criminal history, including felony convictions in Florida on three counts of attempted armed robbery and second degree murder. He received sentences of 15 and 17 years, respectively, for the convictions.

"Mr. Gilliam was convicted of armed robbery and murder in Florida and because you've been a convicted felon you can't possess a gun, sell it, keep it, buy it or do anything with it," said FBI special agent in charge Jim Cavanaugh.

Braves honor Maddux in pre-game ceremony

ATLANTA, July 17 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Braves retired the uniform No. 31 of four-time Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux prior to Friday night's meeting with the New York Mets.

Maddux, 43, became the sixth player to have his number retired by the Braves. He joined Dale Murphy, Warren Spahn, Phil Niekro, Eddie Matthews and one-time career home run record holder Hank Aaron.

Murphy had been the last previous player to be honored, having his number retired in 1994.

Maddux spent 11 seasons with the Braves, posting a 194-88 record with a 2.63 ERA in 363 starts. He had a 19-2 mark with a 1.63 ERA for the Braves during their World Series championship season of 1995.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International
All Rights Reserved.