Kauffman Stadium had fallen silent for the first time all night. In the Royals' clubhouse, Alex Gordon had finally peeled off his dirt-stained jersey. He had just watched the San Francisco Giants celebrate their third World Series title in five years, capped by a 3-2 victory in Game 7 on Wednesday night. The Giants had taken the lead in the fourth inning, and the game amounted to a battle of bullpens.