Twins Vs. Rangers Final Score: Minnesota Blows Lead In 4-3 Loss To Texas

The Texas Rangers capped off a full three-game sweep on Sunday with a 4-3 comeback win over the hometown Minnesota Twins in the late innings. The Twins led 3-1 after six behind a strong day from starter Liam Hendriks, but a three-run eighth inning by Texas drastically altered the momentum and took the wind out of Minnesota's sails.

The Twins had a chance to either win or tie the score in the bottom of the ninth against former closer Joe Nathan, but could not convert. Nathan, who has been extremely shaky to open the season as the Rangers' ninth inning specialist, closed the door against Minnesota's 4-5-6 hitters for his third save of the year.

Despite the loss, the Twins did pick up a clutch home run from weekend waiver pickup Clete Thomas, and appear to have found an important piece of the roster in him going forward. Thomas is still largely unproven, but should receive a good deal of playing time as the organization continues to assess his long-term potential.

The 2-7 Twins will look to bounce back with a brutal four-game series against the New York Yankees that opens up on Monday.

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Twins Vs. Rangers Score Update: Clete Thomas Homers In 2nd At Bat, Minnesota Ahead 2-1

Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire might have uncovered a diamond in the rough in waiver wire pickup Clete Thomas. Starting in right field for Sunday's game just hours after being claimed from the Detroit Tigers, Thomas hit a two-run homer in his second at bat in a Twins uniform to pull his new team ahead 2-1 on the scoreboard.

Though it was just the ninth home run of his MLB career, Thomas' blast appears to have solidified his ascension to the starting lineup, and should afford him more playing time in the near future if he can maintain his success from the plate.

The Twins took the lead in the bottom of the fifth after giving up a Mike Napoli solo home run in the top half. After four innings of being controlled by Texas starter Neftali Feliz, Thomas and company finally broke through on a day when it looked like they might be held without a run. Josh Willingham, the man who trotted across the plate on Thomas' homer, set the table with his 12th hit of the year to bump his season average to .448.

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Twins Vs. Rangers Starting Lineups: Clete Thomas To Start In Right Field

The Minnesota Twins made full use of the waiver wire this week, and managed to snag former Detroit Tigers outfielder Clete Thomas due to Detroit's logjam at the position. But one organization's loss is another one's gain, and manager Ron Gardnehire has already slotted Thomas into his starting lineup for Sunday's series finale with the Texas Rangers.

Thomas will play right field and bat eighth for the Twins, who will face Texas closer-turned-starter Neftali Perez. Minnesota made room for Thomas by sending speedy utility outfielder Ben Revere down to Triple-A on Sunday.

The Forth Worth Star Telegram announced the full lineups, as Thomas' inclusion represents Minnesota's seventh different lineup in just nine games this season, a clear sign of the level of frustration that Gardnehire has felt with his hitters so far in 2012.

Minnesota Lineup

Denard Span-CF
Jamey Carroll-SS
Joe Mauer-C
Justin Morneau-DH
Josh Willingham-LF
Chris Parmelee-1B
Danny Valencia-3B
Clete Thomas-RF
Alexi Casilla-2B

Texas Lineup

Ian Kinsler-2B
Elvis Andrus-SS
Josh Hamilton-CF
Adrian Beltre-3B
Michael Young-DH
Nelson Cruz-RF
David Murphy-LF
Mike Napoli-1B
Yorvit Torrealba-C

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Twins Vs. Rangers: Minnesota Tries To Close Series Against Texas With A Win

The start of the season is just over a week old but already the losses are starting to stack up for the Minnesota Twins (2-6) as they try to avoid a series sweep by the Texas Rangers (7-2) when the two teams meet on Sunday afternoon.

The Twins were forced to the bullpen early on Saturday after starter Nick Blackburn left the game and a solid performance in the sixth inning with shoulder stiffness. On Sunday, the Twins will turn to young right-hander Liam Hendriks to make his season debut on the mound. Hendriks is starting his first full season with the Twins and missed his initial trip through the rotation when he came up sick in Baltimore.

The Rangers will throw another young arm at the Twins on Sunday with right-hander Neftali Feliz making the start. Feliz is 1-0 on the season after tossing a gem against the Seattle Mariners in his first outing, going seven innings and giving up just four hits as part of a 1-0 shutout win for the Rangers.

The game is scheduled to start at 2:10 p.m. ET and will be televised on Fox Sports North.

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Twins Vs. Rangers Final Score: Nick Blackburn Injured As Minnesota Loses 6-2

The Minnesota Twins have fallen to 2-6 on the season and are now in danger of being swept at the hands of the Texas Rangers, with a 6-2 loss on Saturday in game two. Nick Blackburn pitched just over five innings before leaving the game with an injury, and finished having allowed two runs off of seven hits while striking out three and walking one. He allowed the Rangers to get out to an early lead when Mike Napoli hit a sacfirice fly to score Nelson Cruz.

But the Twins evened up the score when a throwing error led to Danny Valencia scoring. The third inning saw Josh Hamilton hitting a solo homerun to right field that gave the Rangers back the lead, but again the Twins tied it, with Velencia rounding the bases again off of a Denard Span double. That's when things got bad the the Twins, though.

Brian Duensing came in to pitch in relief for Blackburn, but lasted just a little over an inning, and gave up two runs. Glen Perkins came in and gave up two runs of his own, though only one of them was earned. In short, the Twins just couldn't hold up with their pitching.

Hamilton rounded the bases three times for the Rangers, while Adrian Beltre had two RBI on the day. Robbie Ross picked up the win for the Rangers, but it was Yu Darvish who got the start. Darvis picked a little over five innings and allowed nine hits - with just two runs and only one of them earned. He walked four batters and struck out four, and didn't allow a homerun.

The Twins will wrap up the series with Texas on Sunday before hitting the road for a four-game series against the Yankees and a three-game series against Tampa Bay prior to returning home.

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Nick Blackburn Pulled From Start Vs. Rangers Due To Shoulder Injury

Minnesota Twins starter Nick Blackburn had to leave Saturday's start against the Rangers due to an injury, according to 1500 ESPN:

Right-hander Nick Blackburn left Saturday's game against the Texas Rangers with stiffness in the back of his right shoulder.

Blackburn grimaced after throwing a fastball up and away to left-handed batter David Murphy in the top of the sixth inning -- his 79th pitch of the ballgame. Twins trainer Dave Pruemer and manager Ron Gardenhire rushed out to the mound, and after a brief discussion Blackburn was removed from the game.

Blackburn was throwing fairly well through five-plus innings, having allowed two earned runs on seven hits and striking out three opposite just one walk.

The Twins have already lost one starter, Scott Baker, for season due to elbow surgery.

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Clete Thomas Claimed Off Waivers By Minnesota Twins

Clete Thomas was designated for assignment by the Detroit Tigers earlier this week to make room on their roster for Drew Smyly, giving the Tigers 10 days to either place him back on the 40-man roster, place him on waivers, trade him or release him outright. The Tigers placed Thomas on waivers and he has been claimed by their Central Division rival Minnesota Twins, according to Detroit Tigers beat writer Jason Beck.

Thomas, 28, could never find a way to consistently crack the Tigers' crowded outfield since making his MLB debut in 2008. In three seasons with the Tigers, he received 443 plate appearances and had a hitting line of .253/.336/.728. Thomas has a strong arm and some speed on the base paths.

Twins head coach Ron Gardenhire has said that he has always like Thomas.

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Twins Unveil Kent Hrbek Statue At Target Field

Minnesota Twins legendary first baseman Kent Hrbek was honored to witness the unveiling of a statue of his likeness outside of Target Field prior to the Twins game against the Texas Rangers on Saturday.

The Twins tweeted the moment to capture Hrbek's first look at the statue.

Kent Hrbek gets a first look at his statue just unveiled outside Gate 14 at #TargetField. twitter.com/Twins/status/1…

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) April 14, 2012

As Twinkie Town mentions in their game preview, Hrbek appeared like a statue when he was playing the game but the big fella could smash the ball in the old Metrodome like a beast while collecting World Series rings with the 1987 and 1991 championship Twins.

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Twins Vs. Rangers: Minnesota Faces Yu Darvish In Second Game Of Series With Texas

The Minnesota Twins (2-5) face the Texas Rangers (6-2) on Saturday afternoon in the middle game of a three game weekend series at Target Field.

The Twins dropped the opener of the home series on Friday, 4-1 as they struggled to even scratch one run across the plate against Texas pitcher Matt Harrison. All eyes will be on the mound for the Rangers on Saturday as much-heralded rookie Yu Darvish is scheduled to take the ball for Texas in his second start of the season. The 25-year old right hander from Japan had a rough start in his debut against Seattle, giving up four first-inning runs, but was able to settle down and ride some solid run support to an 11-5 win.

The Twins will counter right-hander Nick Blackburn who didn't get any run support and took a loss in his first outing of the season, getting chased from the game in the seventh inning. The Twins are looking for their big bats, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau to get going and join Josh Willingham who has at least one hit in each of the first seven games.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET and will be televised on Fox.

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Twins Vs. Rangers: Minnesota Stumbles Into Series With 4-1 Loss

The slow start continues for the Minnesota Twins. Matt Harrison held them to single run in eight innings, and the Texas Rangers cruised to a 4-1 win.

Justin Morneau was hitless in four at-bats as the Minnesota Twins lost to the Texas Rangers on Friday night. Trevor Plouffe had the lone extra base hit. An RBI single by Danny Valencia in the second inning accounted for the Twins' only run on the night.

Texas answered with a three-run third inning. Andrian Beltre and Michael Young each drove in a run, and David Murphy scored Beltre on a sacrifice fly. Ian Kinsler turned away from the small ball by sending his fourth homer of the season over the left field wall.

Harrison picked up the win, and Alexi Ogando earned the save. Joe Nathan did not make an appearance.

Anthony Swarzak worked seven innings, allowing four runs on nine hits. He struck out three and issued no free passes in his second loss of the season.

The first pitch is pegged for 1:10 p.m. Eastern on Saturday.

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Twins Vs. Rangers: Minnesota Adds Trevor Plouffe And Luke Hughes To Friday Night Lineup

The Minnesota Twins have moved right-handed hitters Trevor Plouffe and Luke Hughes into the lineup Friday night to combat left-handed pitcher Matt Harison, according to Joe Christensen of The Star Tribune.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has Luke Hughes and Trevor Plouffe in the lineup, and I'm sure both righthanded hitters are champing at the bit. Joe Mauer is at first base after catching the past two games, and the switch-hitting Ryan Doumit is in right field.

Plouffe will hit eighth and play right field, while Hughes, at second base, is at the bottom of the order. Here are the lineups for both teams.

The game begins at 7:10 p.m. EST on Friday at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

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Twins Vs. Rangers: Minnesota Host Reigning Champs on Friday Night

The Minnesota Twins (2-4) will look to add to a two-game winning streak when they host the reigning American League Champions, the Texas Rangers (5-2) on Friday night at Target Field. The game will start at 7:10 and can be seen on Fox Sports Network and can be heard on 1500 ESPN Radio.

Minnesota struggled early this season dropping their first four games. They failed to score more than two runs in any of those games and were outscored by a combined total of 20-6 over that span.

However, their bats have come alive as of late. They have since scored a combined 16 runs in their last two performances, but are still allowing their opponents to generate a considerable amount of offense.

Anthony Swarzak is the projected starter for the Twins. He lost his only start this season, allowing one run in five innings pitched. Swarzak walked two and struck out one. He is projected to face Matt Harrison, who won his first start this season. Harrison pitched six scoreless innings that saw him strike out three.

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Minnesota Twins Host Perennial World Series Contenders' Texas Rangers This Weekend

The Texas Rangers have been dangerous with the bats for a while. Recently, they've also had the pitching to back it up. Who can you expect to see against the Minnesota Twins?