Mid-week day games are hard to recap when I miss the beginning. Game 12/162.

1. The line-up is noticeably different without the presence of Chris Young (on the 15-day DL) and Justin Upton (possibly headed there soon). The “Chris Young and the Sunshine Band” offense doesn’t work without Chris Young.

2. Without pinch-hit man-off-the-bench Geoff Blum (also on the 15 day DL), the Diamondbacks managed to make it through this game without pinch-hitting for their pitcher.

3.  Daniel Hudson pitched a fantastic game and deserved a win today. Unfortunately, it was not in the cards.

4. There were two lead-off triples today. Willie Bloomquist tripled in the first and ultimately scored on a Jason Kubel single, but Aaron Hill‘s lead-off triple went to waste in the 6th. It should be a crime to waste a leadoff triple.

5.  AJ Pollock made his MLB debut today. He walked in the 7th inning, but was promptly thrown out attempting to steal second when he over-slid the bag. He has the speed to steal, that much is clear, and he’ll probably be dangerous when he harnesses his nerves. And, of course, in his first ever game, he came to the plate with 2 outs and Justin Upton standing on first base and represented the winning run. Welcome to the show.

6. Justin Upton did appear in the bottom of the 9th, pinch running for Miguel Montero – who runs like a catcher.

Score: 2-1, Diamondbacks lose (YET ANOTHER ONE RUN GAME); Record 7-5. The Pirates win their first series at Arizona since 2005. Losing winnable games hurts even more.

Conclusion: More than half of the Dbacks’ games this season have been decided by one run. It is starting to be that the fate of the 2012 Diamondbacks will rest on their ability to win the 1-run game. Losing winnable games is not going to help them where they want to be.

Tonight was game 11/162. And, it was equally as disappointing as the last time the Dbacks fell in extra innings.

And, in the spirit of disappointment, today’s recap will also be disappointing. Here are the highlights:

1. Justin Upton sat out the game and will reportedly have an MRI on his thumb tomorrow.

2. Chris Young slammed into the CF fence making a leaping catch and had to leave the game – likely with a shoulder contusion. He will also be having an MRI tomorrow.

3. And, in the post game, Nick Piecoro reported that Kirk Gibson announced that Geoff Blum pulled a muscle in batting practice and he will  be headed to the DL and AJ Pollock is coming up from Reno.

4. In terms of baseball stuff: Ian Kennedy was immensely hittable (though, everyone is allowed a bad day now and again, so I don’t begrudge him that).

5. When Chris Young left the game, Jason Kubel moved to RF, Willie Bloomquist moved to LF and Gerardo Parra moved to CF. That put John McDonald in at SS (and, third in the batting order). He showed off his usual quick hands and – in another uncharacteristic show of offense – he blasted a game-tying home run. Which, like his two-double game in Colorado, wasn’t quite enough of a cushion for the bullpen.

6. Bryan Shaw collected the loss, giving up a 2-out infield single by the slimmest of margins to the speedy Alex Pressley. That was followed by hits from McGhee and McCutcheon and the one run that scored was the difference in the game.

7. And, the remainder of the Blue Jays reunion tour infield had a pretty good night defensively (Aaron Hill had a great pick, Ryan Roberts had a diving catch and Lyle Overbay dug a whole pile of throws out of the dirt at first). But, overall, this game was a giant bummer.

The after-effects of tonight’s mess will probably be spilling over into tomorrow. When they get to do it all over again.

Hopefully wrapped in bubble wrap.

Score: 5-6, Diamondbacks lose (ANOTHER ONE RUN GAME); Record 7-4. This one hurt. Literally and figuratively.

Conclusion: Ow.

It’s Monday! That means its time for the news and notes from around the MiLB portions of the Diamondbacks organization. Now that the minor leagues are back in action, Minors Monday is back.

Today’s post has been brought to you by Wade Miley (2010 Visalia Rawhide and Mobile BayBears; 2011 BayBears and Reno Aces) - who pitched 4.0 innings of hitless relief for the Diamondbacks yesterday to hold the SF Giants at bay while the Diamondbacks staged an unlikely, messy comeback.

• Reno Aces (AAA)
• Opening day roster: HERE
• The Reno Aces took on the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (AAA Colorado Rockies) this week.

• Mobile BayBears (AA)
• Opening day roster: HERE
• The BayBears played against the M-Braves (AA Atlanta) this week and started their season 4-0.

• Highlights: To say that this team has strong starting pitching would be a bit of an understatement:
• Trevor Bauer (April 5) – 5IP, 2H, 0R, 3BB, 7K – WIN
• Charles Brewer (April 6) – 6IP, 4H, 1R, 1BB, 6K – No Decision
• Kevin Munson earned his first career hold by striking out 3 and walking 1 in 1.0 IP
• Derek Eitel (April 7) – 4IP, 4H, 0R, 2BB, 3K – No Decision
• Patrick Corbin (April 8th) – 6IP, 6H, 0R, 1BB, 5K – Win

•  Visalia Rawhide (A Adv.) 
• This week, they took on the Bakersfield Blaze (A Adv Cincinnati Reds), splitting the series.

• Yakima Bears (SS)
• The Bears will begin the season on June 15.

• Missoula Osprey (R)
• The Osprey will begin the season on June 18.