(Sports Network) - The Kansas City Royals try to get back on the winning track this evening, when they play the middle contest of a three-game set against the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome.

After sweeping the Detroit Tigers to open the year, the Royals endured their first loss of the season on Friday, as Carlos Gomez finished 3-for-4 with a run scored and Adam Everett drove in the winning run on a bunt in Minnesota's 4-3 triumph.

Joe Mauer collected two hits and an RBI for the Twins, who snapped a three- game slide after an Opening Day win over the Angels. Justin Morneau and Delmon Young also knocked in a run each.

Scott Baker (1-0) got the win, allowing seven hits and three runs over 6 2/3 innings. Joe Nathan earned his second save of the year with a scoreless inning of relief.

The news wasn't all good, though, as right fielder Michael Cuddyer left the game in the bottom of the third inning with a dislocation of and laceration to his right index finger sliding into third base in a collision with the Royals' Alex Gordon. Cuddyer was 2-for-2 prior to the mishap.

Following the game, the Twins placed Cuddyer on the 15-day disabled list and recalled outfielder Denard Span from Rochester of the International League to fill the roster spot.

Billy Butler went 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Royals, who had been off to their best start since opening the 2003 campaign with nine straight wins. John Buck and Jose Guillen also drove in a run in defeat.

KC starter John Bale took the loss (0-1) after being charged with 10 hits and four runs over 6 1/3 frames. Bale started his first game since September 18, 2003, against the Pirates as a member of the Reds.

Minnesota will pin its hopes tonight on veteran right-hander Livan Hernandez, who won his first American League Start on Opening Day. Hernandez, who spent his first 12 major league seasons in the Senior Circuit, defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Monday, as he allowed a pair of runs and seven hits in seven innings.

This will be his first-ever start against the Royals.

Kansas City will counter with righty Gil Meche, who received a no-decision on Opening Day. Meche gave up three runs and eight hits in six innings to the Detroit Tigers on Monday, but did not factor in his team's 5-4 win.

Meche is 6-3 lifetime against the Twins with a 4.05 ERA in 12 starts.

Minnesota split its 18 matchups with the Royals last season and is 35-22 in the series since the start of the 2005 campaign.