SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - San Francisco Giants starter Madison Bumgarner shook off the worst start of his young career to blow away the Cleveland Indians in a 3-1 victory on Sunday.

The 21-year-old Bumgarner lasted just one-third of an inning during a disastrous start against Minnesota on Tuesday, but he returned to form with 11 strikeouts and just one run allowed in seven innings to get the win.

"It was tough to forget about a start like that. I tried to put it behind me the best I could," Bumgarner told reporters. "I'm not going to say there wasn't any doubt. There was a little doubt."

Jeremy Affeldt pitched the final two innings to get the save as the Giants (44-34) notched their fifth straight victory.

Chris Stewart had a two-RBI double in the second for San Francisco and the Giants grabbed a 3-0 lead in the third before holding off the Indians (40-36) the rest of the way.

Cleveland scored its lone run in the sixth but could not generate much offense the rest of the way.

Indians pitcher Fausto Carmona tossed six innings and allowed three runs in the loss.

With their latest defeat, the Indians fell one game behind the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central Division.

The defending World Series champion Giants stretched their lead in the National League West to 1 games.

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Alastair Himmer. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)