KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Twins’ chances of winning the American League Central division have been dwindling by the day, all the way down to single digits. And while their chances of still reaching the playoffs remain high, they know they can’t keep playing like this.

The Twins, playing without their some of best players, have been reeling in recent weeks. This trip to Kansas City offered them the opportunity to put some space between them and the team trailing them in the AL Central standings.

Instead, the Royals (79-65) swept them in a three-game set, capping off the series with a 2-0 win on Sunday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium. The Twins (76-67) are now situated in the third Wild Card spot after being passed by the Royals.

The latest setback came on a day in which the offense finish with just five hits off Royals starting oitcher Michael Wacha and two relievers.

The Twins missed their chance to break through off of Wacha in the first inning when Jose Miranda was thrown out trying to score on Trevor Larnach’s double. Larnach and Matt Wallner, who walked, were left on base.

The Twins had only three hits after the first inning and two of the three runners were wiped off the bases by a double play. It was the second time in three games in Kansas City that the Twins were shut out. They scored just two runs in the series.

The Twins were still in the game until the end, thanks to the combined efforts of their pitching staff.

After four scoreless innings, rookie Simeon Woods Richardson ran into a jam in the fifth, walking the first batter of the inning before allowing a pair of hits. A Garrett Hamspon sacrifice fly brought home the Royals’ first run of the game and after issuing another walk, Woods Richardson was pulled before getting a chance to face superstar Bobby Witt Jr.

Cole Sands was able to navigate out of much of the bases-loaded jam, striking out Witt before Salvador Perez sent a slow roller down the third base line that stayed just fair, allowing the second run of the game to score.

But while Twins’ were well within striking distance all day, another flat effort sent them spiraling to the sweep in the pivotal series.