Madison Bumgarner pitches Giants to World Series

The Giants took a one-run lead at the top of the fourth inning in game seven at the Royals' Kauffman Stadium, and rode the brilliance of Madison Bumgarner to yet another MLB championship.

Bumgarner struck out four in five scoreless innings of work, although suffered a late scare when an Alex Gordon single with two out in the ninth turned into a triple after a fielding error from Gregor Blanco.

However, Blanco's blushes were spared when Salvador Perez popped up a ball to third baseman Pablo Sandoval, and the slugger - who had three hits from as many at-bats in his final game as a Giant - fittingly completed the catch to crown San Francisco champions.

Bumgarner, for allowing just one run across games one, five and seven, was named most valuable player for the series.

Earlier, two sacrifice fly balls scored the Giants' opening two runs in the second inning as they took the early ascendancy.

Michael Morse's out to right field was enough to score Sandoval, before Brandon Crawford's shot to deep centre was caught but scored Hunter Pence.

The Royals' response was immediate - Alex Gordon's double scoring Billy Butler, before an Omar Infante sac-fly scored Gordon to tie the ball game later in the second inning.

But Morse, again, had plenty to say from home plate, as he singled to score Sandoval at the top of the fourth - and Bumgarner, as he so often does, did the rest.

Royals starter Jeremy Guthrie pitched 3.1 innings for the concession of all three of the Giants' runs of only four hits.

Giants starting pitcher Tim Hudson lasted just 1.2 innings on the mound, allowing both of the Royals' runs off three hits before Jeremy Affeldt threw 2.1 scoreless innings before handing the reins to Bumgarner.