KANSAS CITY, MO. — The Twins may not be playing their best baseball — far from it — but with many of the American Leagues teams closest to them in the standings struggling to gain ground in recent days, they’re still well positioned to grab a wild card berth. Heading into Friday’s contest with the Kansas City Royals, they were in possession of the second wild card spot. After Friday’s game, it’s the third spot. Both teams could — and likely will — reach the postseason, but while a playoff trip may not be on the line this weekend, this series — the last regular-season meeting between the two AL Central foes — still carries extra importance. And in the first game of the pivotal series, the Twins fell flat in a 5-0 loss at Kauffman Stadium. They now trail both Kansas City and division-leading Cleveland. In one of their most important games of the season to date, their offense was held completely silent by Royals starter Cole Ragans (11-9) and a trio of relievers. Ragans, who early in the game reached the 200-strikeout mark, was barely touched in his six-inning outing. He allowed just four hits — two in the first inning — and another two more in the fourth. “You aren’t normally going to tag this guy around the ballpark,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “That’s just the case. We got something going early and he was able to pitch out of it.” The fourth inning represented the Twins’ (76-65) best chance to score, but their hopes were dashed when infielder Kyle Farmer was thrown out at the plate trying to score on an Austin Martin double — the Twins’ last hit of the game — to end the inning. It took a perfect relay from Tommy Pham in left to shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who aired it out to nab Farmer. “I downshifted a gear going around third. That run, it got me, that slow down around third,” Farmer said. “Tommy had a good relay and Bobby does what he does. He’s got more tools than Home Depot.” While the Royals’ (77-65) superstar was held hitless in the game, he still made his presence felt, showing off those tools both with the relay throw and on the bases, where he beat out a throw on a potential double-play ball. He then came around to score later in the fifth inning on a Hunter Renfroe two-run single off of rookie Zebby Matthews. Matthews (1-3) lasted five innings in his start and gave up four runs, three of which came with two outs in the inning. “It’s tough to get to two outs and then give up the runs,” Matthews said. “ … It’s something I need to do better at with two outs is finishing the inning.” The first run of the game scored after Matthews uncharacteristically walked a batter — No. 9 hitter Kyle Isbel — before allowing a double to Pham. The second scored on a Michael Massey solo home run, which came after a pair of strikeouts to start the inning. Renfroe’s single then seemed to seal the Twins’ fate. “When you get 22 left in the season, every game is important when you’re in the hunt for the division or the Wild Card spot,” Farmer said. “They definitely outplayed us.” Related Articles Minnesota Twins | The Twins used Griffin Jax for four outs. Could we see more of that? Minnesota Twins | First baseball player to have his St. Paul Parks and Recreation jersey retired? Joe Mauer, of course. Minnesota Twins | Pablo López on point as Twins earn series split with Rays Minnesota Twins | Twins’ Byron Buxton’s return slowed, Max Kepler lands on injured list Minnesota Twins | Brent Headrick, Randy Dobnak combine for pitching gem in Saints’ win over Iowa