Here is the latest sports news from The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw for 211 yards and three touchdowns, Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran through the rain for 138 yards and another score, and the Kansas City Chiefs began defense of their first championship in 50 years by beating the Houston Texans 34-20 on Thursday night. The first game of the NFL season was played before a socially distanced crowd of about 17,000 due to the coronavirus pandemic. It also came after a series of videos and demonstrations by both teams designed to raise awareness of social justice initiatives.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jeimer Candelario capped off a two-homer day with a two-run, bases-loaded single in the seventh inning to help the Detroit Tigers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-3 for a doubleheader split, Thursday. The Cardinals won the opener 12-2 behind a five-homer attack. In the first game, Yadier Molina, wearing uniform No. 21 in honor of Roberto Clemente, hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the second inning for the Cardinals. Candelario hit a two-run homer in the first game and added a solo shot in the nightcap.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Kansas City rookie Brady Singer allowed just one hit _ a two-out single through an infield shift in the eighth inning _ and flirted with baseball history while leading the Royals to a 11-1 win over the Cleveland Indians. Making just his ninth career start, the 24-year-old Singer (2-4) was four outs from becoming the 36th rookie to throw a no-hitter when Cleveland catcher Austin Hedges, who came in batting .148, bounced a single through a wide-open right side. The hit came on a full-count and Singer’s 116th pitch. Maikel Franco and Adalberto Mondesi each hit three-run homers for the Royals.

UNDATED (AP) — Iowa State will open against an opponent from the Football Bowl Subdivision for the first time since 2012. The Cyclones originally were set to ease into the season against South Dakota from the Championship Subdivision. The coronavirus pandemic caused postponements and cancellations across college football, and the Cyclones had to scramble to line up Louisiana-Lafayette for Saturday. ISU coach Matt Campbell hopes the Cyclones don’t get more than they bargained for in a game that will net the Ragin’ Cajuns $350,000. Lafayette is coming off an 11-win season that ranks as its best in program history.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Anthony Davis had 29 points and 12 rebounds while dominating the paint in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 110-100 win over the Houston Rockets. Davis also helped Los Angeles compile a 52-26 rebounding edge in taking a three-games-to-one lead in the NBA’s Western Conference semifinal series. Houston also had trouble stopping LeBron James, who finished with 16 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists.