KANSAS CITY— Minnesota left-hander Tommy Milone threw seven strong innings, giving up just six hits and two runs, and Eduardo Escobar had three hits and three RBIs as the Twins beat the Royals, 6-2, on Monday night at Kauffman Stadium.

The Twins remain 1 1/2 games behind the Rangers for the second American League Wild Card spot. The Royals’ magic number to clinch the AL Central is 15.

Royals right-hander Yordano Ventura, who in his previous five starts had posted a 1.13 ERA, gave up four runs and eight hits while striking out eight. The Royals lost their fourth straight.

“We haven’t played up to our standards,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “Our starting pitchers haven’t been exceptional through this stretch, and offensively, we’ve faced some good starting pitching. Tonight Milone did a great job against us.”