By Jeremy Kahn

James Shields was on point from the first pitch of the game to the last pitch, and he never seemed to lose a step.

Shields scattered just four hits, as the Kansas City Royals won their sixth in a row after a 5-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium.

The Royals, who last made the playoffs in 1985, when they defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in a thrilling seven-game series shortened the Detroit Tigers lead in the American League Central down to just one and a half games and are in second place in the American League wild-card standings.

Alex Gordon hit a home run for the Royals in the bottom of the fifth inning, as they have won nine out of 10.

Shields, who won for the 11th time on the season gave up three singles in the first three innings and did not allow another hit until Joe Panik doubled in the top of the eighth inning.

Panik also walked against Shields in the top of the fifth inning, went to second on a wild pitch; however he was stranded.

Shields picked up his first shutout since September 9, 2012 and the ninth of his major league career.

Tim Hudson went six innings, allowing three runs on six hits, as he lost for the ninth time against eight wins.

In the finale of the series, Tim Lincecum looks to end the road trip on a high note, as he will face the Royals for just the second time his major league career.

Lincecum went five innings, allowing five runs in a no-decision, as the Giants fell to the Royals 11-10 during the 2008 season.