MINNEAPOLIS — There are no silver linings, only difficult losses to absorb.For the second time in three games on Wednesday night, the Minnesota Twins did plenty of good in a matchup against the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.And, for the second time in three games, the Dodgers did just enough to send the Twins home with a bitter defeat. Whether it was sterling defense, big pitches or timely hits, Los Angeles held off the Twins for a 4-3 win in front of 39,853 at Target Field, a victory that secured a Dodgers series sweep.As good as the Twins felt about their performances in one-run losses on Monday and Wednesday, they were left to face the harsh reality the series dropped them further behind their American League competitors in the standings.“If we want to get to where we want to be, overall we’ve got to play top-tier baseball,” Twins reliever Anthony Banda said. “Guys played well. It’s not taking away from what we did this series. But the end results are three losses.”Shy of Tuesday’s absolute dud, the Twins, winners in six of seven through Sunday, continued to play well in a series that afforded them a chance to measure themselves against the best.Playing in front of 105,000 fans over three days, including their first home sellout of the season on Wednesday, the Twins didn’t scare against an opponent that boasts a payroll three times bigger than theirs.The back end of the Twins’ bullpen performed well in losses Monday and Wednesday. Twins starting pitchers showed they could stand up to a lineup loaded with MVPs and All-Stars in two of three games. And the offense rallied from early deficits in all three contests, including putting the Twins ahead 3-1 on Wednesday night.But in the end, Los Angeles was simply better.“We didn’t cash in on the opportunities,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “We had some opportunities. They just executed pitches. … We pitched well, we played defense well, we didn’t get the big hit when we needed it.”In one instance the Dodgers took the big hit away on Wednesday. In two others, the Twins couldn’t get it done.An inning after Joe Ryan surrendered three runs on a walk and four hits that allowed Los Angeles to reclaim the lead, the Twins very nearly took it back.