KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Minnesota Twins just couldnt get the big hit they needed.The Twins loaded the bases in the second with none out and came away empty. They had runners on first and third with one out in the fourth, but failed to score in a 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals, who have won eight straight.We had our chances, Twins second baseman Brian Dozier said. We just didnt, like Nate Diaz last night, he just didnt pop him when he had the chance.Diaz lost a decision to Connor McGregor in a UFC fight Saturday night.The Twins were shut down by Kansas City left-hander Danny Duffy, who won his 10th straight decision.The Royals swept a four-game series from the Twins for the first time since 1999 and have their longest winning streak since an eight-game run Aug. 3-11, 2014. The Royals have won 13 of 15 since the Rally Mantis showed up in the dugout.Duffy (11-1), unbeaten since June 6, improved to 5-0 with a 1.18 ERA in August. His 2.66 ERA ranks second in the American League, while his .917 winning percent tops the majors.Duffy left after 6 2/3 innings, allowing one run and a season-high eight hits while walking two and striking out four.You know, this a lot better game for us in terms of competing compared to yesterday (a 10-0 loss), but still we have fallen short in terms of taking advantage of opportunities, Twins manager Paul Molitor said. And when youve got your best pitcher going, those things can become huge.Duffy outpitched Twins right-hander Ervin Santana (6-10), who allowed two runs and five hits while striking out 10 and walking one over seven innings.Ervin had a really nice day, Molitor said. We didnt back him up particularly well defensively, but, he made some pitches to get off the field. He minimized as best he could. Not enough timely hitting and the defense needs to continue to improve. Ervin was as good as advertised.Santana has a 1.91 ERA in his past 11 starts after beginning the season 1-7 with a 5.10 ERA.The way hes been pitching the last few games, hes lights out, Santana said of Duffy. Hes doing his job. Hes doing what hes supposed to do. He just keeps everybody off balance. He just locates his fastball and his changeup. So, thats what makes him better today.Duffy worked out a no-out, bases loaded jam in the second inning with the help of a couple of fielding gems. After Eddie Rosario struck out, Alex Gordon made a sliding catch of Kurt Suzukis fly to shallow left. Third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert snagged Danny Santanas hard hit grounder and threw out Eduardo Escobar at second base.Hosmers two-out double in the sixth over the head of center fielder Rosario scored Lorenzo Cain, who had an infield single.Hosmer singled in the second, moved to third on Kendrys Morales double and scored on Alcides Escobars ground out for the first Kansas City run.Its terrible, man, Dozier said to be swept by the Royals. Were playing good, it seems like. These past four games weve always make that one mistake and against good teams like Kansas City, its not getting people in, bases loaded, nobody out, thats the ballgame.Robbie Grossman and Trevor Plouffe doubled in the third to produce the only run off Duffy.Kelvin Herrera pitched a perfect ninth to log his seventh save in nine chances.MOLITORS BIRTHDAYMolitor turns 60 Monday. Theres some plans being made for me, Molitor said. Ill be a willing participant. Itll be nice to have an off day and do some things with the family. But not celebrate, Im past that point.NO MAUER1B Joe Mauer, who is a career .326 hitter with 14 home runs and 111 RBI against the Royals, went 0 for 12 in the series and was not in the lineup Sunday. He grounded out as a pinch hitter in the ninth.SEEING THE LIGHTThe Twins recalled RHP Pat Light, who was acquired from Boston on Aug. 1, from Triple-A Rochester, where he had a 2.57 ERA in six outings. He appeared in two games for the Red Sox this season, giving up seven runs in 2 2/3 innings.TRAINERS ROOMRoyals: RHP Kris Medlen (rotator cuff inflammation) made a Saturday rehab start for Triple-A Omaha, allowing three runs and two hits, including a home run, and a walk in 1 2/3 innings against Nashville. He threw 22 strikes in 34 pitches.UP NEXTTwins: RHP Kyle Gibson starts the series opener against Detroit on Tuesday. Gibson threw a complete-game Wednesday at Atlanta.Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura starts the series opener at Miami on Tuesday. Ventura is 0-2 in two interleague starts, yielding 11 runs over eight innings. USWNT Store .Y. - New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city. Fake USWNT Jerseys . JOHNS, N. https://www.cheapuswnt.com/ . According the Toronto Star, a knee injury will keep Sundin out of the lineup, which includes former teammates Gary Roberts, Darcy Tucker, Tie Domi and Curtis Joseph. Custom USWNT Jerseys . The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling "puts an end to my dreams of being a top player," the 27-year-old Troicki said in a statement. "I worked my entire life for it, and it has been taken away from me in one afternoon by a doctor I didnt know," said Troicki, whose ranking peaked at No. USWNT Jerseys 2020 . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. LOS ANGELES -- Trumaine Johnson, the?Los Angeles Rams primary cornerback, injured his right ankle late in Sundays 30-19 loss to the Buffalo Bills, a potentially devastating blow to a defense that is already dealing with a sudden rash of injuries.Johnson was in a protective boot and on crutches following the game, but Rams coach Jeff Fisher did not provide an update on his condition.I dont know, Fisher said. Well have more information for you tomorrow.Johnson hurt himself midway through the fourth quarter while scrambling to defend a 3-yard run by Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor. The fifth-year cornerback was unable to put weight on his right leg and was carted to the locker room shortly after being carried to the sidelines.The Rams released cornerback Coty Sensabaugh on Saturday largely to promote defensive end Morgan Fox from the practice ssquad because three starting defensive linemen -- Robert Quinn,?Will Hayes?and Michael Brockers -- were unable to play.ddddddddddddAfter Johnson, the Rams corners are E.J. Gaines, who spent all of last season recovering from foot surgery and missed the first three weeks with a thigh injury; Lamarcus Joyner, whos playing through a broken toe; and Troy Hill, an undrafted free agent in 2015.Johnson, filling the primary role vacated by Janoris Jenkins, was coming off a brilliant showing against the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday, a game that saw him make an interception and almost record two others.Now he may miss time.Thats one of our best players over there, Gaines said. Hopefully he can get right for next weekend. ' ' '