Kansas City Royals veteran pitcher Zack Greinke made it through just four innings on Wednesday night, but early it looked debatable that he’d make it through one.

Greinke narrowly survived a bumpy, three-run first inning in his second start since he returned from a stint on the injured list due to forearm tightness.

However, the Minnesota Twins did enough early damage and starting pitcher Sonny Gray held the Royals’ offense in check. The Royals fell 4-0 in front of an announced 14,927 in the second game of a three-game series at Target Field in Minneapolis. The Royals were shut out for the 16th time this season.

The Royals, who were being no-hit until the ninth inning on Tuesday night, have now lost the first two games of their road trip. They’ll try to avoid a series sweep in the series finale Thursday night.

The Royals (57-86) collected just five total hits, three in seven scoreless innings against Gray.

Gray (8-4) struck out eight, including seven on called third strikes. He has allowed one run in 17 innings (three starts) against the Royals this season.

Royals rookies Michael Massey (2 for 3), MJ Melendez (1 for 4) and Bobby Witt Jr. (1 for 4) each collected a hit against Gray. Witt, who broke up the no-hit bid on Tuesday, doubled off Gray in the sixth for his 53rd extra-base hit of the season.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez (1 for 4) also had a hit, and center fielder Michael A. Taylor drew the only walk for the Royals.

Greinke (4-9) allowed three runs on five hits and three walks in four innings. He struck out one, which gives him 998 during his Royals career (two stints).

In his first start coming off the IL, Greinke pitched six innings and allowed just one run in a no-decision against Cleveland.

Wednesday night, the Twins (71-70) scored three runs in the first inning and made Greinke throw 40 pitches to get through the inning. All nine hitters in the Twins lineup came to the plate in the frame.

The first two batters reached on singles. Then with runners on the corners and no outs, the Royals traded a run for two outs on a grounder hit to the second baseman Massey.

But the next three men reached via a walk and backto- back hits by Nick Gordon (single) and Gary Sanchez (double). Sanchez drove in two runs with his double to left field.

Greinke walked another batter and gave up an infield single to load the bases before he recorded the third out of the inning.

Greinke bounced back and retired the next nine batters in a row and 10 of 11 after the prolonged first inning. He turned the game over to the bullpen to start the fifth inning. Greinke threw 81 pitches.

Royals relief pitchers Jose Cuas (1/3 inning), Amir Garrett (2/3 inning), Carlos Hernández (two innings) and Luke Weaver (one inning) combined for the final four innings on the mound.

Hernández gave up the final run in the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly by Gio Urshela.