Royals grab 2-1 lead

SAN FRANCISCO—Jeremy Guthrie outpitched fellow Series newcomer Tim Hudson and four Royals relievers combined on four hitless innings as Kansas City beat the San Francisco Giants, 3-2, Friday night for a 2-1 lead in the World Series.

“This is the way our games have gone all year,” said Royals manager Ned Yost, who made several lineup changes that paid off. “I’m getting really good at protecting a one-run lead because a lot of times that’s exactly what we have to deal with.”

Alex Gordon hit a run-scoring double and Lorenzo Cain made two slick grabs in right field as the Royals backed Guthrie with nifty glove work. All night long, Kansas City looked perfectly comfortable playing in the tricky territory at unfamiliar AT&T Park.

Eric Hosmer had a sixth-inning RBI single in an 11-pitch at-bat against lefty Javier Lopez for his first World Series hit—on his 25th birthday.  AP