SAN FRANCISCO — Madison Bumgarner allowed just four hits as the San Francisco Giants blanked the Kansas City Royals 5-0 Sunday to take a 3-2 World Series lead.
Bumgarner struck out eight and walked none in improving to 4-0 in four World Series starts. He has allowed one run in 31 Series innings, an astonishing 0.29 ERA.
Brandon Crawford drove in three runs and Juan Perez hit a two-run double for the Giants, seeking to become only the second National League team to win three titles in a five-year span.
James Shields lost to Bumgarner for the second time, allowing eight hits and two runs in six innings.
In the 41 previous instances the World Series was 2-2 in the best-of-seven format, the Game 5 winner has taken the title 27 times.
The Series resumes Tuesday at Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium.