MLB:
The San Francisco Giants are World Series champions for the third time in five seasons after Madison Bumgarner tossed five shutout innings of two-hit relief to secure a 3-2 victory over the Royals in Game 7 at Kansas City. Bumgarner allowed a single to the first hitter he faced in the fifth before retiring his next 14 batters. Pablo Sandoval went 3-for-3 with two runs scored, and Michael Morse capped his two-RBI night by delivering the tiebreaking single in the fourth inning.
Madison Bumgarner was named MVP of the World Series following his third brilliant performance against the Royals. The Giants lefty was 2-0 with one save and a 0.43 ERA, allowing just nine hits with 17 strikeouts in 21 innings. Hunter Pence hit .444 in the series for the Giants, while teammate Pablo Sandoval batted .429.
NBA:
The Chicago Bulls spoiled Derek Fisher's first game as an NBA coach by beating the New York Knicks 104-80 last night in the season opener for both teams. Carmelo Anthony had 14 points for the Knicks, who visit the Cavaliers tonight in the first game since LeBron James returned to Cleveland.
The Boston Celtics beat the Brooklyn Nets 121-105 last night. Rajon Rondo returned from a broken hand and had 13 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds in the season opener for both teams. Mirza Teletovic had 20 points and six rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench for the Nets. Joe Johnson scored 19 points for Brooklyn, and Deron Williams had 19 points and eight assists.
Elsewhere Charlotte topped Milwaukee 108-106 in overtime, Indiana bested Philadelphia 103-91, Toronto won against Atlanta 109-102, Miami defeated Washington 107-95, Memphis beat Minnesota 105-101, Denver trumped Detroit 89-79, Houston bested Utah 104-93, Golden State defeated Sacramento 95-77, Phoenix topped the Lakers 119-99, and it was Portland over Oklahoma City 106-89.
NHL:
On the ice, Detroit doubled up Washington 4-2, Nashville defeated Edmonton 4-1.
Meanwhile, the National Hockey League has suspended New York Rangers defenseman John Moore for five games without pay for an illegal hit to the head of Minnesota Wild forward Erik Haula. The decision was handed out after an in-person hearing with Moore, who is considered a repeat offender.
The family of hockey Hall of Famer Gordie Howe says the 86-year old is in "guarded" condition, but adds his spirits are good after a significant stroke Sunday. The family says Howe is showing some signs of improvement, but there is a long road to recovery ahead.
The man known as "Mr. Hockey" set NHL marks with 801 goals and 1,850 points, mostly with the Red Wings, that held up until Wayne Gretzky surpassed him in the record book.
NFL:
Tonight at 8:25 New Orleans is in Carolina to face the Panthers in Thursday Night Football.
NCAA:
Defending national champion UConn has been picked by coaches in the American Athletic Conference as a preseason favorite to edge out SMU for the league title. Huskies point Guard Ryan Boatright was chosen as the preseason player of the year and UConn freshman Daniel Hamilton was picked as the league's preseason rookie of the year.
©2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
