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5 things we learned from the Giants' win in Game 5 of the World Series

SAN FRANCISCO — Behind another strong performance from ace Madison Bumgarner, the Giants beat the Kansas City Royals, 5-0, on Sunday night in Game 5 of the World Series. The win gave San Francisco a 3-2 lead in the series. The teams will now head back to Kansas City for Game 6 on Tuesday.

Here are five things we learned from the Giants’ win:

1. Madison Bumgarner is too good

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

The Giants’ ace and NLCS MVP was dominant yet again on Sunday, fanning eight Royals and walking none in his second complete-game shutout this postseason and first since the Wild Card game. Bumgarner looked unhittable in Game 5, yielding only three singles and a squibber of a double to Omar Infante. There’s really just nothing more to say about the guy at this point; he has been totally dominant all postseason.

2. Seriously, though

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

Bumgarner has now thrown 47 2/3 innings this postseason, the second most of any pitcher in a single postseason. He trails Curt Schilling’s record 48 1/3 mark with Arizona in 2001 by only 2/3 of a frame. And in his 47 2/3 innings this postseason, Bumgarner has a 1.13 ERA. His 0.29 career ERA in the World Series is the best ever by anyone with at least 25 innings pitched in Fall Classics.

3. The Royals can look at the bright side

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

For one thing, they’re 2-1 this World Series in games not started by Madison Bumgarner. And though Bumgarner might be available in relief on short rest in Game 7, he’s definitely not starting in Game 6 on Tuesday. The last game or games of the series will be in Kansas City. They won two World Series games in a row earlier this week, so it’s not like it’s all over. Game of inches and everything. There’s still time.

4. James Shields was just fine

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

James Shields’ performance might even be classified as “good” if it weren’t juxtaposed against Bumgarner’s. The Royals’ ace allowed only two runs over six innings, scattering eight singles and striking out four. Shields’ postseason struggles have come into focus this year because they don’t jibe with his “Big Game” nickname. But Shields has been a good pitcher in regular seasons throughout his career, and he has only made 11 career postseason starts. Using them to draw broad conclusions about how he’ll perform in big games moving forward would be silly.

5. This photo exists

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

And lo, it is good.

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