It was the first meeting between the two teams since Game 7 of the 2014 World Series.
Super utility man Whit Merrifield, just called up from Triple-A, drilled a home run in the fifth inning to the opposite field to give the Royals a 1-0 lead.
Both starters turned in their best outings of the year. Royals right-hander Jason Hammel worked six-plus innings and gave up six hits and one run. Giants right-hander Matt Cain was even better, going seven innings while giving up four hits and one run.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
No more seventh-inning meltdown: During the first four games this season, the Royals gave up 14 runs in the seventh innings.