KANSAS CITY -- There were at least two things the Royals wanted to see on Sunday against the White Sox.

First, Kansas City wanted to see if right-hander Matt Harvey would adapt to a role as essentially an opener. That mission appeared to be accomplished as Harvey gave up one run on four hits with two strikeouts over 2 1/3 innings.

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And the Royals wanted to see how rookie right-hander Carlos Hernandez would follow up his 3 2/3 scoreless-innings debut from last Tuesday. Those results were mostly pleasing, too, as Hernández was one out away from throwing three more scoreless frames before getting nicked for one run and leaving the game with a stomach contusion after being hit by a comebacker to the mound.

The Royals, though, lost to Chicago, 8-2. The White Sox concluded their season series against Kansas City, winning nine of 10 games.

Royals manager Mike Matheny said this week he was hoping Harvey might be able to focus more on each hitter in an opener role. Harvey responded with two scoreless innings before giving up a leadoff double to Yolmer Sánchez in the third and an RBI single to Yasmani Grandal.

“I thought it was a step in the right direction,” Matheny said. “The spin looked better and he got us through two. … I thought he looked better.”

“It was good,” Harvey said. “Obviously when you start, you want to go deeper in the game. They didn’t really tell me the plan, but I’m assuming it was kind of as the opener -- go out there and do what I did in my last outing out of the bullpen.”

Does Harvey think he can adapt to being an opener?

“I have no idea,” he said. “I haven’t really thought about it. It’s not ideally what you want to do as a starter. But it’s whatever they want me to do. It’s completely fine with me.

“When they tell me to go in, I have to be ready.”

Hernández, the Royals’ No. 12 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is viewed long term as a potential starter. But Hernández is getting his introduction to the big leagues via the bullpen for now.

Hernández got two quick strikeouts in his third inning of work before giving up a walk and an RBI double to Nomar Mazara. Then Danny Mendick lined a shot that hit Hernández in the stomach area and rolled away for an infield single, knocking him out of the game.

“I felt it and got my wind knocked out,” Hernandez said through interpreter Luis Perez. “I needed a minute, but then I could get up and keep on pitching. But Mike had a position [to take me out], and I respect that.”

Overall, Hernández said his second big league outing went pretty much according to plan.

“Happy with what I did today and wanted to go for more,” Hernández said. “Just a new opportunity to take advantage of. Definitely less nerves than last time.”

Matheny continues to be impressed.

“I like everything I’m seeing,” Matheny said. “I thought his changeup was even better than last time, got a couple swings and misses and a punchout. Good life to his fastball. Couple times he got a little quick, but he made the adjustments and got back in the zone. When he needed to make a pitch, he made them.”