KANSAS CITY, Mo. Craig Biggio Jersey . -- Phil Hughes ended a personal losing streak that dated to last July, pitching into the seventh inning Sunday and helping the Twins top the Kansas City Royals 8-3 to avoid a three-game sweep. Hughes (1-1), who signed a $24 million, three-year deal in December, allowed an RBI single to Omar Infante in the fifth and a two-run homer to Alcides Escobar in the seventh while winning for the first time in 17 appearances. He had lost eight games since that victory on July 2. Josmil Pinto homered and Trevor Plouffe and Kurt Suzuki each drove in a pair of runs for the Twins, who battered Yordano Ventura (1-1) before piling on against the Royals bullpen. The loss ended Kansas Citys five-game winning streak. Hughes solid showing came after he had allowed 12 earned runs in his first 15 innings with Minnesota. The former All-Star had not survived past the sixth since July 13, when he was still a member of the New York Yankees and was facing his current team. It helped that the Twins staked him to an early lead. After they went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position in a 5-4 loss Saturday, Plouffe came through with a double in the Twins first opportunity Sunday. His drive into the gap in right was enough to score Brian Dozier and Joe Mauer and give Minnesota a 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Twins added on in the fourth. After Suzuki walked, the Royals were unable to turn a double play on a grounder by Aaron Hicks. Ventura then threw the ball away trying to pick him off first, and a wild pitch put Hicks on third base. Eduardo Escobars single scored the run. Ventura was finally pulled from the game in the fifth, when the 22-year-old right-hander gave up a leadoff triple to Plouffe and a single to Chris Colabello. He allowed four runs on six hits and four walks in four-plus innings, a line that looks even uglier after two dominant outings in which he allowed a combined one run on six hits against Tampa Bay and Houston. The Royals bullpen, which had thrown 14 straight scoreless innings, never gave their offence a chance to get Ventura off the hook. Pintos homer came off Louis Coleman later in the fifth, and Justin Marks -- making his big league debut -- allowed three more runs in the seventh. Escobars two-run shot later in the seventh knocked Hughes from the game, but relievers Brian Duensing, Casey Fien and Glen Perkins made sure his long losing streak would finally end. NOTES: The Twins played with 24 players after claiming OF Sam Fuld off waivers from Oakland and designating OF Darin Mastroianni for assignment. Fuld is expected to join the Twins on Tuesday in Tampa Bay. ... The Royals open a four-game series Monday in Cleveland with RHP Jeremy Guthrie on the mound. The Twins are off before their three-game set against the Rays. ... The Twins left 11 on base. The Royals stranded eight. Hector Rondon Jersey . "Its not done, but its a huge step," Hannover general manager Dirk Dufner said. Poor defending allowed the visitors to score in the second minute, when Leon Andreasens header from Christian Panders cross sent the ball inside the far post. Tyler Clippard Jersey . -- Derek Jeter spoke for 25 minutes, 44 seconds and answered 26 questions about his decision to retire at the end of this season. http://www.astrosteamproshop.com/Astros-Jose-Cruz-Jr-Kids-Jersey/ . -- Jerry Rice Jr.TORONTO -- The Canadian Football League has imposed its maximum fine on Montreal Alouettes linebacker Kyries Hebert following an illegal and extremely dangerous tackle while trying to dislodge the football from his opponent. Hebert was penalized on the play and ejected from the game. "We are committed to fostering a culture of health and safety in all we do as a league, including the standards we set through player discipline," said Mark Cohon, Commissioner of the Canadian Football League. A hearing took place earlier today that included Hebert, representation from Canadian Football League Players Association (CFLPA), and representation from the CFL including Cohon. Following the hearing and after reviewing the play on vvideo from every available angle, the Commissioner has decided to impose the highest fine allowed under its collective bargaining agreement with the CFLPA, the equivalent of half of a players game cheque. Andy Pettitte Jersey. The CFL also announced today the following discipline arising out of Week One of play: Edmonton Eskimo Thaddeus Coleman has been fined for hitting an opponent (with his arm) in the back of the head. Calgary Stampeder Corey Mace has been fined for delivering a punch. Saskatchewan Roughrider Rob Bagg has been fined for delivering a punch. Hamilton Tiger-Cat Craig Butler has been fined for using his helmet to deliver a blow to an opponents helmet. As per league policy, fine amounts are not disclosed. ' ' '