Kansas City Royals edge San Francisco Giants, take World Series lead

Alcides Escobar went 2-for-4 with two runs and Jeremy Guthrie pitched five good innings at the AT T Park.

Chasing their first World Series title in 29 years, the Royals lead the best-of-seven series 2-1 ahead of another two games in San Francisco.

They made a perfect start away from home as Escobar doubled before Lorenzo Cain's groundout scored him in the first inning.

Escobar singled in the sixth and was scored by a double from Alex Gordon, who got home thanks to Eric Hosmer's line drive to centre field.

The Giants were struggling to make inroads before Michael Morse doubled to score Brandon Crawford in the sixth.

That led to the end of Guthrie's game as the Royals turned to their ever-reliable bullpen.

But Kelvin Herrera gave up a run as Buster Posey's groundout got Morse home to bring the Giants right back into the contest.

The Giants' comeback ended there, however, as the Royals regained home-field advantage.