Sports News Roundup: Red Sox dump Dodgers, hoops corruption scandal, WTA finals

Lance Armstrong's former cycling team manager Johan Bruyneel was banned from cycling for life on Wednesday after a successful appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Former Armstrong team manager, doctor get lifetime cycling bans

Lance Armstrong's former cycling team manager Johan Bruyneel was banned from cycling for life on Wednesday after a successful appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The 54-year-old Belgian was initially banned for 10 years in 2014 by the American Arbitration Association North American Court of Arbitration for Sport (AAA) for helping orchestrate an elaborate doping program that helped Armstrong to seven Tour de France titles.

NBA notebook: Lakers' Walton fined for ref criticism

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton received a $15,000 fine from the NBA on Wednesday for public criticism of officiating. Walton spoke out against perceived foul disparity following the Lakers' 143-142 overtime loss at home to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. Los Angeles players showed visible frustration on the court during the loss, which dropped the team to 0-3. The Lakers have had fewer chances at the line in each of their last two games.

Red Sox dump Dodgers to take control of World Series

The Boston Red Sox, riding another strong outing from starter David Price and a clutch hit from J.D. Martinez, seized command of the World Series with a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. Martinez broke open a tie game when he hit a bases-loaded single that drove in a pair of runs to give the host Red Sox a lead they would not relinquish while Price pitched six innings of three-hit ball.

NFL notebook: CB Peterson pledges commitment to Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson reaffirmed his commitment to the team Wednesday, saying he intends to be around for "years to come." The statement comes two days after ESPN reported Peterson "desperately" wanted out in Arizona and had requested a trade amid the team's 1-6 start to the season. Cardinals president Michael Bidwill and head coach Steve Wilks each had been emphatic that the Cardinals would not trade Peterson, who is one of only four players since 1990 to make the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven NFL seasons.

Tsitsipas clocks up another win in Basel

Stefanos Tsitsipas followed up his maiden ATP title in Stockholm last week by brushing aside Jeremy Chardy in straight sets in the first round of the Swiss Indoors tournament in Basel on Wednesday. It was the 20-year-old Greek's 40th win of the season, compared to only four last year, and earned him a second-round tie with German Peter Gojowczyk.

Kaepernick 'blackballed,' says Eagles' Jenkins

Three days after two of the leading supporters of unemployed NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick bickered on the field, one of the two says he has no doubt that Kaepernick "is being blackballed." The comments from Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Malcolm Jenkins come amid his feud with Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid.

Three men convicted in hoops corruption scandal

Defendants James Gatto, Christian Dawkins and Merl Code were each found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on Wednesday in the college basketball corruption trial in New York. Gatto, a former Adidas executive, was found guilty on all three of his counts. Dawkins, a former runner for agent Andy Miller, and Code, a former Adidas consultant, were found guilty on two counts apiece.

NBA roundup: Jazz down Rockets after Harden exits

Donovan Mitchell paired 38 points with seven assists, and the Utah Jazz overcame 19 turnovers Wednesday in a 100-89 victory over the host Houston Rockets, who saw star James Harden exit due to hamstring tightness. Mitchell proved instrumental in helping the Jazz fend off the Rockets throughout. His 3-pointer with 4:36 left in the fourth quarter extended the Utah lead back to double digits, and he followed with a nifty pass that Rudy Gobert (12 points, 13 rebounds) converted into an alley-oop and a 91-79 advantage.

Ex-NBA chief Stern: Pelicans' Demp is 'lousy' GM

Going on seven years after he nixed the then-New Orleans Hornets' plans to trade star point guard Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers, former NBA commissioner David Stern said he was protecting the New Orleans franchise, not impeding it. Oh, and by the way, the New Orleans exec who wanted to make the move, Dell Demps, "is a lousy general manager," Stern said, among comments that came during an interview with Sports Illustrated.

Stephens uses losing set to lay foundations for Bertens win

Sloane Stephens maintained her unbeaten record at her first WTA Finals with a second successive victory on Wednesday, laying down the foundations of a three-set win over Kiki Bertens as the second set was slipping away. Stephens eventually overcame the Dutchwoman 7-6(4) 2-6 6-3 to sit on the brink of a semi-finals berth after the 2017 U.S. Open champion used the seventh game of the second set to determine the tone for the decider.

(With inputs from Reuters)