Hernandez Denies He Pushed Man

San Francisco Giant pitcher Livan Hernandez denied Thursday that he pushed an elderly warehouse owner or swung golf clubs at him, saying that he was the victim in a scuffle that resulted in his arrest.

Hernandez posted $10,000 bond and was released from Miami-Dade County Jail late Wednesday after he was charged with felony aggravated assault and battery on the elderly. Each charge carries up to five years in prison. He is scheduled for arraignment Jan. 29.

Police said Hernandez pushed Francisco Martinez, 65, to the ground during an argument outside a warehouse he rents from the man. The dispute escalated and police said Hernandez grabbed some golf clubs from the trunk of his car and tried to hit Martinez.

But Hernandez disputed the allegations Thursday, saying it was Martinez who threw punches and that he never struck back or tried to hit him with any golf clubs. He said Martinez started an argument and hurled racial slurs at him after he tried to resolve a business dispute over repairs to the building.

“He was looking for problems with me. He came after me,” Hernandez, a Cuban defector, said in Spanish during a news conference.

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Outfielder Shane Spencer has reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians, a team that figures to give him the chance to play regularly.

Spencer’s agent, David Trimble, said that the deal is contingent on his client passing a physical next week.

Spencer, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in July 2000, was never able to get 300 at-bats in a season with the New York Yankees.

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Right-hander Elmer Dessens and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a $7.3-million, two-year contract that includes a team option for 2005. Dessens was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds last month in a four-team trade that sent first basemen Erubiel Durazo to the Oakland Athletics.... Free-agent catcher Mike DiFelice agreed to a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals and was invited to spring training.

Tennis

Top-ranked Lleyton Hewitt faces a possible third-round Australian Open clash against former No. 1 Gustavo Kuerten, and top-seeded Serena Williams begins her bid for a fourth consecutive Grand Slam title against Emilie Loit of France.

At the draw held in Melbourne, Hewitt was paired against a qualifier in the first round and either American Cecil Mamiit or another qualifier in the second round before a possible showdown with Brazilian Kuerten. Hewitt could meet either American Andy Roddick or Jiri Novak in the quarterfinals.

Serena and Venus Williams, the sisters who’ve met in the last three Grand Slam finals, were on opposite sides of the draw at Melbourne Park for the first time and can’t meet until the final.

Second-seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero ended Paradorn Srichaphan’s winning run with a 6-3, 6-2 quarterfinal victory at the Sydney International in Australia.

Ferrero faces a semifinal against Rainer Schuettler, who overcame Mardy Fish, 7-6 (5), 6-0.

In women’s quarterfinal matches, sixth-seeded Lindsay Davenport toppled fourth-seeded Daniela Hantuchova, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (3), and Justine Henin-Hardenne defeated Amanda Coetzer, 6-4, 6-4.

Second-seeded Amy Frazier advanced to the Moorilla International final with a 6-3, 6-4 win over fourth-seeded Elena Likhovtseva at Hobart, Australia. Frazier will play Alicia Molik, a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 winner over Iveta Benesova.

Second-seeded Meghann Shaughnessy advanced to the Canberra Classic final in Australia with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Loit of France. Shaughnessy will play Italy’s Francesca Schiavone, a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 winner over France’s Marion Bartoli.

Pat Rafter, formerly the world’s top-ranked men’s player, announced his retirement at age 30, ending 12 months of indecision during an extended break from the sport.

Miscellany

George Foreman leads the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s 2003 induction class. Foreman capped a remarkable comeback to become boxing’s oldest heavyweight champion at 45 after a knockout of Michael Moorer in 1994.

Joining Foreman for enshrinement June 8 at Canastota, N.Y., are 15 other boxers, officials and ring personalities, including Mike McCallum, a champion in three divisions; Oscar-winning writer Budd Schulberg; and the late promoter Dan Duva, who joins his father, Lou, a 1998 inductee.

Glenn McDonald resigned as an assistant coach for the two-time WNBA champion Sparks, citing personal and family-related reasons. He will remain as director of intramural sports at Long Beach State.

Linebacker Chris Clemons became the third Georgia underclassman to make himself eligible for the NFL draft, joining Musa Smith and Johnathan Sullivan.... Notre Dame center Jeff Faine, a three-year starter, will forgo his senior year to make himself eligible for the draft.... Texas Christian linebacker LaMarcus McDonald will forgo his senior season to make himself eligible for the draft.