Kansas City, Mo. ? Kansas City’s Felipe Paulino struggled in the first four innings, giving up five runs and eight hits, including two home runs. The next four innings, he shut down the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Diamondbacks got enough offense early to beat Paulino and the Kansas City Royals, 5-3, Thursday night to sweep the three-game series.

“It was really two games for him,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “The first seven hits he gave up were all on breaking balls.”

Yost sent pitching coach Bob McClure to the mound to tell Paulino to increase use of his fastball, which ranges from 95-98 mph.

“He was a totally different pitcher from that point on,” Yost said. “He made a great adjustment. There was just a little too much damage early on.”

It was Paulino’s fifth start and sixth appearance for the Royals, who picked him up May 26 after the Colorado Rockies had designated him for assignment.

“I like his fastball and that he can throw it for strikes,” Yost said. “He got a little away from his game plan tonight and he was shaking (catcher Matt) Treanor off. He’s got a lot of upside, a lot of potential.”

Paulino (0-1) retired 13 straight, striking out six, after Juan Miranda’s fourth-inning home run before Stephen Drew singled to open the ninth. His eight-plus innings matched his longest outing. He allowed five runs and nine hits, one walk and eight strikeouts.

“I gave up too much too early,” Paulino said. “I made an adjustment too late in the game. It was really easy. I threw more fastballs. It worked great, but it doesn’t matter because we lost. I wanted to do everything to keep the game close.”

Paulino has not won a game since June 4, 2010.

Daniel Hudson pitched seven strong innings to win his ninth game, and Miguel Montero and Miranda each homered to lead Arizona.