Twins 8, Royals 3: Trevor Plouffe recorded a triple, two doubles and knocked in a pair of runs as visiting Minnesota ended Kansas City’s five-game winning streak while savaging the finale of a three-game series.

Josmil Pinto belted a solo homer and Kurt Suzuki had two hits and two RBIs while Brian Dozier added three hits for Minnesota, which has beaten the Royals four of six games this season. Twins starter Phil Hughes (1-1) allowed three runs on nine hits in six-plus innings to earn his first victory since July 2 after losing his previous eight decisions..

Alcides Escobar hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning – his first blast of the year -- while Omar Infante registered his ninth RBI for Kansas City. Royals 22-year-old starter Yordano Ventura (1-1) lasted only four-plus innings, yielding four runs on six hits and career-high four walks with six strikeouts.

Plouffe lined a two-run double to right field in the first inning to give the Twins a lead three batters into the game. Plouffe led off the fifth with a triple and scored on Chris Colabello’s bloop single to end Ventura’s day before Pinto hit the first pitch he saw from reliever Louis Coleman over the left-center field wall later in the inning for 5-0 edge.

Infante’s RBI single made it 5-1 in the bottom of the fifth, but Minnesota limited the damage when Dozier’s diving stop behind second base began an inning-ending double play. Minnesota put the game away in the seventh when Jason Kubel singled home a run and Suzuki drove in a pair with a double to deep left field.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Three of Pinto’s four homers this season have come against the Royals. … Kansas City CF Justin Maxwell, 1B Eric Hosmer, RF Norichika Aoki and DH Billy Butler joined Escobar with two hits each. … Minnesota claimed OF Sam Fuld on waivers and designated OF Darin Mastroianni for assignment. Fuld is expected to join the team for the three-game series at Tampa Bay, which starts Tuesday.