In what may have been his final start with the Twins, starter Francisco Liriano threw his first clunker in over two months. The lefty gave up home runs to Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn and Alex Rios and could not complete three innings. The Twins got plenty of base runners. Denard Span had three hits, and Brian Dozier had two. The Twins grounded into five double plays in the game though which ended several scoring opportunities. Brian Duensing and Alex Burnett were very good in relief. Ryan Doumit did his best to keep up with Beloit's Kennys Vargas tonight. The big question now is whether tonight's pitching performance by Liriano affected the return they could get for him. We shall find out.

Here is a look at the Twins minor league scores and highlights from the Monday games in the minor leagues. Liam Hendriks was back on the mound for Rochester. Two players made their returns with the GCL Twins this morning. And yes, Kennys Vargas is mentioned again.

ROCHESTER 0, DURHAM 4

For the first time this year, Liam Hendriks gets “credited” with a Loss for the Red Wings. Yet, he pitched pretty well. The Aussie right-hander gave up two runs on four hits in six innings. He walked three and struckout six batters. Caleb Theilbar came in and gave up two runs on three hits (including a home run) in an inning. Kyle Waldrop threw a scoreless inning in relief.

The Red Wings showed very little offense. They had just six hits in the game and Ray Chang had two of them. Clete Thomas and Pedro Florimon each hit a double. Thomas stole a base, and he also threw out a runner at home.

NEW BRITAIN 1, BINGHAMTON 8

Aaron Thompson started for the Rock Cats. The lefty gave up four runs (2 earned) on eight hits (two home runs) and a walk in five innings. Edgar Ibarra came in and gave up three runs on two hits (both home runs) and a walk. He struck out three. Dakota Watts was charged with an unearned run on one walk in 1.2 innings.

The Rock Cats managed just four hits in the game. Oswaldo Arcia was 2-4.

FT. MYERS 5, CHARLOTTE 4

Jhon Goncalves has only been back in the Florida State League, but his speed helped the Miracle to a win on Monday night. The outfielder was 3-4 after singling to lead off the bottom of the ninth. He advanced to third after a sacrifice bunt and a ground out. With two outs, and two strikes on Danny Ortiz, the pitcher threw a high fastball that bounced off the catcher’s glove, allowing Goncalves to sprint home from third base with the winning run. Anderson Hidalgo was also 3-4. He hit his eighth double, his third home run and drove in two runs.

Pat Dean started. He gave up four runs on 10 hits in seven innings. He walked none and struck out three. AJ Achter came on and threw two scoreless innings for his first Miracle win.

BELOIT 3, GREAT LAKES 0

Matt Tomshaw returned to the starting rotation and threw very well. The lefty worked the first four innings, giving up just two hits. He walked none and struck out six. Cole Johnson worked the next three scoreless innings. He gave up three walks, walked none and struck out one. Zach Jones recorded his first save, striking out four in two innings.

Nate Roberts continues to lead the way for the Snappers out of the leadoff spot. He went 2-4 with his first triple and 14^th stolen base. Kennys Vargas hit his third home run (in his second game) and later he was intentionally walked. Miguel Sano had a rough one. He went 0-4 with four walks.

ELIZABETHTON 3, JOHNSON CITY 0

Angel Mata started for the E-Twins and he threw five shutout innings. He gave up two hits, walked one and struck out nine. Christian Powell came in and threw two scoreless innings. He gave up three hits but walked none and struck out three. He was credited with his first professional win. Tyler Duffey struckout two in a scoreless eighth inning. As he did in college, he handed the ball over to JT Chargois who pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his second save.

Travis Harrison went 2-3 with a walk. (and yes, his 17^th error of the short season) Jorge Polanco and Jhonathan Arias each doubled. Max Kepler and Niko Goodrum combined to go 0-8 with five walks, but each stole his fourth base of the year.

GAME 1 – GCL TWINS 1, GCL ORIOLES 4

There were a couple of returns in this game. Alex Wimmers made a start for the first time since his April debut with the New Britain Rock Cats. He has been rehabbing a partially torn UCL. On this day, he gave up three runs on four hits and a walk and recorded just two outs. Kuo Hua Lo came on and struck out two over 4.1 one-hit innings. Alex Muren came in and gave up one run on two hits and a walk in two innings.

Byron Buxton returned to the GCL team in this game. He was the team’s DH and hit third. His hamstring was tested. He was 1-2 with a walk and a triple. Kelvin Ortiz walked twice and stole his fifth base. Aderlin Mejia went 1-2 with a walk.

GAME 1 – GCL TWINS 1, GCL ORIOLES 2

After managing just five hits in game one, the Twins had just one hit, a Logan Wade single, in game two.

Yorman Landa started and threw five shutout innings. He gave up two hits, walked two and struck out two. Melciades de la Cruz then gave up two runs on two hits, two walks and a hit batter in his inning to take the loss.

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Players of the Day for Monday, July 23, 2012

Pitcher of the Day – Angel Mata

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Hitter of the Day – Anderson Hidalgo

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A Look Ahead – Tuesday, July 24, 2012 Schedule

Rochester vs Syracuse – RHP Shairon Martis

New Britain vs Binghampton – LHP Blake Martin

Ft. Myers @ Charlotte – RHP Matt Summers

Beloit – No Game Scheduled

Elizabethton @ Kingsport – LHP Corey Kimes

GCL Twins vs GCL Orioles (DH) – TBD

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If you have any questions or comments on the Twins minor league system, players, teams, etc., leave them in the Comments and I’ll try to answer them!