(AP) — Ricky Nolasco was virtually unhittable a week ago in Minnesota, shutting down the scuffling Royals over eight innings in an easy victory that came amid a three-game sweep. The right-hander was battered around for the better part of six innings, out-pitched by the Royals' Jason Vargas in a 5-0 loss that opened the Twins' three-game series in Kansas City. The homer came from Mike Moustakas, a two-run shot in the sixth inning that broke the game open. The Twins' opening day starter, Nolasco (1-2) has struggled in three of his four outings — his first appearance against Kansas City the exception. In the other three games, he's allowed 15 earned runs in just 15 2-3 innings, with two losses and a no decision. The crafty left-hander, who signed a four-year deal of his own in the offseason, lowered his ERA to 1.24 while going at least seven innings in each of his four outings this season. The Royals' Gold Glove left-fielder threw a strike from the warning track to second base in the fourth inning, cutting down Josmil Pinto as he tried to stretch a single. Escobar sent a charge through the Royals' anemic offense with a double in the third inning, and consecutive singles by Nori Aoki, Infante and Eric Hosmer staked them to a 2-0 lead.