The Twins took a tough 4-3 loss on Sunday afternoon to fall to 2-7 on the young season. The Twins arrived in New York City on Sunday night and will play four games against the Yankees starting on Monday. They then go to Tampa to play the Rays before getting to play the Red Sox. We all knew it would be a tough start to the season. It’s definitely shaping up to be just that. Down on the farm, the Twins affiliates went 3-1, and at least there are plenty of storylines to follow.

Liam Hendrik’s first start was terrific. He mixed his pitches well and gave up just one run in six innings. The one run came on a Mike Napoli home run on a pitch he threw just once in the game, a “spinner.” Clete Thomas was inserted right into the Twins lineup. He was in right field and batted eighth. In his first at bat, he hit a long fly ball, caught at the base of the fence in right centerfield, just in front of the out-of-town scoreboard. In his second at bat, he hit one well over the out-of-town scoreboard. The two-run homer off of Neftali Feliz gave the Twins a 2-1 lead. Jamey Carroll added an RBI single to make it 3-1. Jared Burton pitched a solid 7^th inning. Glen Perkins entered in the 8^th. A walk, a triple and a Josh Hamilton blast later, the Twins were down 4-3. Alex Burnett came in and did well. But in the end, Joe Nathan came in to face his former team in the bottom of the 9^th and recorded the save.

Here is a look at the Twins minor league games from Sunday:

ROCHESTER 1, LEHIGH VALLEY 3

The Red Wings got some solid pitching but very little offense in this loss to the now 8-2 Lehigh Valley IronPigs. PJ Walters started and gave up three runs on seven hits in six innings. He issued no free passes and struck out four. Jeff Manship threw two scoreless innings, issuing a hit and a walk and striking out one. Matt Carson went 2-4 with his fourth double. Matt Rizzotti and Rene Rivera each had two hits.

Brian Dozier was 0-4 with a walk, ending his nine game hitting streak. Aaron Bates was 0-4. It was the first game of 2012 in which he did not get on base. Going back to 2011, he has reached base now in 28 out of his last 30 games.

ROSTER NOTES – Brian Dinkelman was officially put on the 7-Day Disabled List. It is expected that Ben Revere will be in the Red Wings lineup on Monday.

NEW BRITAIN 3, NEW HAMPSHIRE 0

Luke French has been terrific in his first three Rock Cats starts. The 26 year old with big league experience should be succeeding, but after seven shutout innings on Sunday, he has now given up just two runs in 18.2 innings on the season. Deolis Guerra pitched a perfect eighth, and Lester Oliveros records the save with a scoreless ninth. Pedro Florimon went 2-3 with a walk. Evan Bigley went 2-4 and drove in a run. Chris Herrmann hit his first home run of the year.

FT. MYERS MIRACLE 11, JUPITER 6

Marty Popham was the beneficiary of a big, seven-run fourth inning by the Miracle. Lance Ray had a double, and then there were RBI singles by Danny Santana, Levi Michael, Angel Morales and Dan Rohlfing. They added a few more and held on. Popham gave up four runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings to “earn” his first win of the season. Jhon Garcia gave up a run on three hits in three innings. He struckout three and walked none. Edgar Ibarra gave up a run on two hits in the ninth.

Rohlfing went 3-5 on the day. Josmil Pinto was 2-4 with a walk and his fourth and fifth doubles. Six other Miracle hitters contributed a hit.

BELOIT 5, CLINTON 2

The Snappers got RBI groundouts from Eddie Rosario and Miguel Sano in the first inning. In the second inning, they got RBI fielder’s choices from JD Williams and AJ Pettersen. However, they made the lead 5-0 in the fifth when Miguel Sano hit a long, towering home run, his fourth of the season. Jhonathan Goncalves went 2-5.

Matt Summers went the first 4.2 innings. He gave up two runs on four hits and three walks. Michael Tonkin came in and was perfect for an impressive 3.1 innings of relief. He improved to 2-0. Corey Williams came in for the 9^th and recorded his third save with a scoreless inning.

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Players of the Day for Sunday, April 15, 2012

Hitter of the Day – Josmil Pinto

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Pitcher of the Day – Luke French

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A Look Ahead – Monday, April 16, 2012 Schedule

Rochester @ Scranton/Wilkes Barre – LHP Scott Diamond vs Dellin Betances (remember that the Yankees AAA team is playing a large number of their games in Rochester while their stadium is worked on this season. So the Red Wings will be the visiting team in their home stadium.)

New Britain @ Portland – LHP Andrew Albers

Ft. Myers @ Jupiter – RHP Manuel Soliman

Beloit vs Kane County – RHP Madison Boer

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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!