SAN FRANCISCO — Sparkling defense, a stingy bullpen and just enough timely hitting. That winning formula of fundamental baseball has put the Kansas City Royals ahead in the World Series.
They even looked comfortable in the tricky territory at unfamiliar AT&T Park.
Jeremy Guthrie outpitched fellow World Series newcomer Tim Hudson, four Royals relievers combined on four hitless innings and Kansas City beat the San Francisco Giants 3-2 on Friday night for a 2-1 lead in the Fall Classic.
Alex Gordon hit a run-scoring double for his first hit of the Series in 10 at-bats, and Lorenzo Cain added an RBI and some slick defense in right field as the Royals backed Guthrie with nifty glove work.
Eric Hosmer had a sixth-inning RBI single in an 11-pitch at-bat for his first World Series hit — on his 25th birthday.
Game 4 is Saturday night, with right-hander Ryan Vogelsong trying to get the Giants even against Kansas City lefty Jason Vargas.
Photo via Ed Szczepanski/USA TODAY Sports Images
