The San Francisco Giants have won the World Series, defeating the Detroit Tigers in four consecutive games to become the champions of Major League Baseball.

The Giants needed extra innings to get the 4-3 win in Sunday's clinching game of the best-of-7 series. It is their second championship in three years.

The Giants had to rally to even reach the World Series after being pushed to the brink of elimination in the first two rounds of the playoffs. But their strong pitching and explosive offense came alive, continuing into the series with the Tigers, whom they outscored 16-6 in the four-game sweep.

San Francisco slugger Pablo Sandoval was named the World Series most valuable player. He helped the Giants beat Detroit's star pitcher Justin Verlander in the first game of the series by hitting home runs in his first three at bats.

Only three other players in Major League Baseball history have ever hit three home runs in a World Series game.

Sandoval hit .500 for the series, and after being presented with his MVP trophy Sunday said it was an “incredible moment.”

Giants manager Bruce Bochy praised his team after the game for being an “unselfish” group, and said it is “amazing what a group of guys who play as a team can accomplish.”

The Tigers as a team had a batting average of just .159 for the series. They struggled despite a lineup that included Miguel Cabrera, who led the American League leader in home runs, batting average and runs batted in during the regular season, and Prince Fielder, a major free agent signing during the off-season who helped build expectations for Detroit's championship hopes.