Kansas City, Mo. ? Runelvys Hernandez, who opened the season 4-0 and keyed Kansas City’s surprising surge into first place, was sent down Sunday to Double-A Wichita.

Hernandez (7-5) was roughed up for nine runs on nine hits in just 3 1/3 innings of a 14-5 loss to Minnesota Saturday.

It was his seventh start since coming off the disabled list for inflammation in his pitching elbow. The Royals’ opening-day starter, Hernandez was 4-0 with a 1.04 earned run average after his first five starts, but went on the DL May 27.

Since being activated, he appeared to lose velocity and confidence despite going 3-2.

“We’d like to see him throw his sinker more. We’d like to see him have better command of his fastball,” general manager Allard Baird said. “And hopefully he’s back here helping us win in September.”

The move left Kansas City’s four winningest pitchers — Chris George, Jose Lima, Kris Wilson and Hernandez — either in the minors or on the DL. Of the 64 wins the club had going into Sunday, 40 belonged to pitchers who were either on the DL, in the minors or released.