Right-hander Jeremy Guthrie made his Royals debut Sunday.
It was not great, but it was better than what left-hander Jonathan Sanchez had given the Royals.
The Royals acquired Guthrie on Friday in a trade for Sanchez with the Rockies.
Working on three days' rest, Guthrie allowed five runs on four hits, including a Ryan Doumit home run, and three walks in five innings. He threw 30 of his 91 pitches in the third inning, when the Twins scored four runs after two outs.
That probably was not what manger Ned Yost wanted to see from his newly acquired veteran right-hander.
"Actually, it was," Yost said. "I thought he threw the ball OK. He had a rough third inning, but I didn't think he made a horrible pitch. He kept the ball down in the zone and I don't think he elevated all day.
"He was throwing his breaking balls down and kept his stuff down all day. He made good pitches, and I thought they hit good pitches. I was impressed.
"We'll get him on normal rest and get him built up to go 100, 110 pitches the next start. That's very workable with the stuff he's got. He could have pitched a little further, but he was pretty good."
Guthrie's record dropped to 3-10.
"It was great to get back in the routine," Guthrie said. "I've been in the bullpen some and it's great to get back in the rotation. I want to build up my arm strength, but I felt strong. I could have continued.
"I was disappointed. I wanted to come out and help get a win."
Guthrie's next start will be Friday at Seattle.
CF Lorenzo Cain is hitting .382 (13-for-34) in 10 games since coming off the disabled list. He has 10 RBI, two home runs, three doubles and six runs in that span.
LF Alex Gordon hit .422 (19-for-45) during the 10-game home stand. Gordon drove in eight runs and had four doubles and a triple.
SS Alcides Escobar and manager Ned Yost were ejected in the ninth inning Sunday by second-base umpire D.J. Reyburn. It was Escobar's first career ejection, while it was Yost's second of the season and the 28th of his career.
DH Billy Butler, who homered in the eighth and singled in the fourth, logged his 35th multi-hit game. Butler's 19th home run tied his season high set last year.
RHP Aaron Crow picked up his second save of the season Saturday night against the Twins. He is holding left-handers to a .138 batting average.
7.38 Royals' rotation ERA on a 3-7 home stand after the All-Star break against the Twins, Mariners (two last-place clubs) and White Sox.
"The secret to our team and any successful team is starting pitching. It sets the tone. It allows your offense and defense to get into a rhythm. It puts bullpen pitchers in an accustomed role or in a role they expect. We have to look to solutions in all areas when it comes to our starters." GM Dayton Moore, on fixing the Royals' abysmal rotation.
