TORONTO -- A bronze medal at the Olympics has earned Erin McLeod some unexpected perks. "I get recognized. Sometimes I get free coffees at Starbucks," the Canadian goalkeeper said with a laugh. "I cant complain about that." McLeod and her womens soccer teammates signed autographs and took pictures with hundreds of adoring fans ahead of Canadas mens World Cup qualifier against Panama at BMO Field on Friday night. Girls and boys, some of whom lined up hours before the gates opened, shouted the players names as they patiently waited for a chance to meet their heroes. "I came back a week late from London so I didnt see (the welcome) at the airport," defender Rhian Wilkinson said between autographs. "But I think Im getting a good idea of what it must have been like for everyone." The performance of the womens team, which lost a heartbreaking and controversial semifinal against the United States before bouncing back to win bronze against France on Diana Mathesons dramatic goal in the 92nd minute, was a highlight at the London Games for Canada. The support garnered back home was so great that inspirational captain Christine Sinclair was chosen as Canadas flag-bearer at the closing ceremony. "The reaction has been overwhelming," said McLeod, who was also honoured along with 13 of her teammates on the field prior to Fridays game. "People have been recognizing us all over the place and I think its really cool for womens sport. I think tonight is really awesome." And with an eye towards hosting the 2015 Womens World Cup, the Canadian players arent taking their newfound celebrity lightly. "I remember growing up with no female role models," McLeod said. "Now we have an opportunity to totally change that so its a really exciting time for us and with the 2015 World Cup, weve got to keep it going." One of the first in line waiting for signatures and pictures was Daniela Ledesma, who plays on an under-eight team coached by her father. Albert Ledesma says the success in London cant be underestimated. "I think it was incredible what they were able to accomplish and what it meant for the country," he said. "You see all the girls having new heroes and saying I want to be Christine Sinclair, I want to be (Melissa) Tancredi, I want to be Diana Matheson. "I think the country will see the benefits of that (on the field) in five or 10 years." While the Canadian women have broken through on the international stage, the men are looking to qualify for the World Cup in two years time, something a team from this country hasnt done since 1986. "I think weve be waiting a long time (for success in the mens game). I think a World Cup berth would make the country just blow up," Ledesma said. "We sense that were getting closer and closer. It would be a very special day." Authentic Tim Duncan Jersey . The last few minutes of that wait may have been the toughest. Norris pitched into the eighth inning for his first win since May 21, and Jose Altuve homered and the Astros avoided a sweep with a 2-0 win over the St. Authentic Goran Dragic Jersey . -- Linebackers Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne represented two of the Saints most important acquisitions in free agency and quickly took over starting roles in their first preseason with New Orleans. http://w... . The three-time world champion from Windsor, Ont., is hoping to be awarded the lone wild card berth in her weight class, issued by the International Olympic Committees Tripartite Commission. [url=http://www.nbaofficial.com/Los-Angeles-Clippers_Blake-Griffin-Jersey/]Blake Griffin Jersey .J. Watt knocked down Andy Daltons pass, intercepted it and returned it for a touchdown in last years playoff win over Cincinnati for one of the biggest plays in Texans history. Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Jersey . Votto took ground balls on the field as part of his workout before the start of a series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Hes had two operations since July 17 to repair torn cartilage in his left knee.SAN FRANCISCO -- Madison Bumgarner doesnt think momentum carries over from start to start, month to month. Still, if he keeps pitching this way its going to be quite a season for the young left-hander. Pablo Sandoval homered to back Bumgarners fourth straight victory, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Padres 4-1 on Sunday to deny San Diego its first series win of the season. Its hard to imagine now, but Bumgarner lost his first six starts of 2011 -- winning his first game May 19 and his fourth on June 26. "Its obvious we think a lot of Madison and what hes done since he got up here, and hes just going to get better and better," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "For a kid his age, its impressive to see how he throws the ball. Im not surprised to see what hes done the first month." Joaquin Arias added a two-run triple in the sixth inning to turn a one-run lead into 4-1. The Giants wasted no time giving Bumgarner (4-1) a lead against Clayton Richard (1-3), a day after Anthony Bass retired the first 17 San Francisco batters before pitcher Tim Lincecum broke up the no-hit bid with an infield single with two outs in the sixth. Bumgarner struck out a season-best six in 7 2-3 innings for his team-leading fourth victory, and he has won four straight starts since losing his season debut at Arizona. He owns a 1.61 ERA during the winning streak. Bumgarner allowed six hits and walked one. "I feel good," Bumgarner said. "Like Ive been saying, Im just trying to make pitches. Its been working. The more quality pitches I can throw limits the damage. I dont pay any attention to the previous (start)." Angel Pagan led off the first with a single, then Richard threw wildly past first on a pickoff attempt for a two-base error as the ball went to the visiting bullpen. Melky Cabrera followed with a sacrifice fly before Sandoval connected for his fourth home run after his season-opening 20-game hitting streak ended in Saturday nights 2-1 win. The Padres scored in the fifth on Chris Denorfias double that was misread in centre field by Pagan, who took a step in before having to backpedal for a ball that travelled further than he anticipated. That scored Jason Bartlett, who got aboard on a leadoff single. Bumgarner, who earlier this month received a $35.56 million, six-year contract that runs through 2017, struck out 13 San Diego batters in his last start against the Padres on Sept. 5, 2011. He had them guessing again this time. "Bumgarner threw a good game," San Diego manager Buud Black said.dddddddddddd "Look at the results. Once he got into the middle part of the game he used his slider, his breaking ball, for strikes." The 22-year-old lefty -- second-youngest on the team behind rookie catcher Hector Sanchez -- has held opponents to two or fewer runs in his last nine starts at AT&T Park. Bumgarner also has won 13 of his last 18 decisions since July 14, 2011. "I have a hard time believing however old he is -- 22?" teammate Brett Pill said. Sergio Romo retired one batter in the eighth and Santiago Casilla allowed a two-out walk to Cameron Maybin in the ninth but finished for his fourth save in four chances. Pill singled and doubled off Richard, who lost his third straight start. He gave up four runs and eight hits in seven innings. "Everything were doing is close, but not quite there," Richard said. When Buster Posey drew a walk in the sixth, it ended a stretch of 26 innings for the Padres, and 104 batters faced, without allowing a free pass since Wilson Ramos walked on Thursday. According to STATS LLC, it was the teams longest such streak since San Diego pitchers went 29 innings without a walk from May 12-15, 2007. Richard had allowed three or fewer earned runs in his previous seven starts against the Giants dating to April 19, 2010. Pagan extended his career-high hitting streak to 14 games in the first, then Sandoval sent an 0-1 pitch into the left-field bleachers two batters later. Pagan has the longest current hitting streak in the National League. Cabrera has reached base safely via a hit or walk in 21 of his first 22 games. San Diego has lost six series and split a four-gamer with the Phillies so far this season. NOTES: Posey made his fourth start at 1B, with Sanchez catching. ... Brandon Belt wasnt in the lineup after hitting a go-ahead, two-run double Saturday night, but Bochy said it was a decision based on the lefty starter. ... Orlando Hudson had the day off after going 0 for 4 on Saturday to have his 10-game hitting streak snapped -- longest by a Padres player in 2012. Andy Parrino started at 2B in his place. ... Padres RHP Tim Stauffer, who began the season on the 15-day disabled list with a strained elbow, began a rehab assignment with Class-A Lake Elsinore and pitched 3 2-3 innings. He allowed six hits, two earned runs, struck out seven and didnt have a walk. Black said hell make another start in the minors. ... Richards final 2011 start came vs. San Francisco before he had season-ending left shoulder surgery. ' ' '