Kris Bubic (0-4), the Royals’ 2018 first-round pick, allowed four runs and nine hits in 3 1/3 innings. He’s yet to get a win in any of his five big league starts.

“The results haven’t look great, but I’m just going to keep learning,” Bubic said. “Hopefully next year I’ll laugh about outings like this one.”

Minnesota’s Miguel Sano scored Max Kepler on an RBI double to right-center to plate the first run of the game, and Eddie Rosario scored Sano on an RBI single the next at-bat to lead 2-0.

After three straight singles in the third by Cruz, Sano and Rosario — two of which didn’t leave the infield — Gonzalez scored two with a double to left field to extend the score to 4-0.

The Royals responded right away when Meibrys Viloria walked, Hunter Dozier doubled for one of his career-high four hits, which was then followed by a double by Jorge Soler, which scored both runners to cut the deficit in half at 4-2.

With two outs in the seventh, Dozier singled, Soler walked and Franco hit an RBI single right Gonzalez’s glove at third to cut the lead to 4-3 before Mondesi’s strikeout.

Royals: RHP Jake Newberry was optioned after Saturday’s game and RHP Chance Adams was recalled.