Sundays 3-0 loss to St. Louis (78-71), which moved one game behind the Giants for the National Leagues second wild card.

MINNEAPOLIS -- A.J. Pierzynski has long been the target of boos in Minnesota, where he made his major league debut nearly 18 years ago.Hardly noticed this time during a matchup of the majors worst teams, Atlantas ageless catcher turned in another solid performance.Lucas Harrell pitched six innings, Adonis Garcia homered and the Braves beat the Twins 2-0 on Tuesday night, an untimely meeting nearly 25 years after the Twins beat the Braves in a World Series often mentioned among the most dramatic in history.Pierzynski doubled and scored against the team that drafted him in the third round in 1994. Behind the plate, he helped guide Harrell (2-2) to his first scoreless start in the majors since June 9, 2013, with Houston.The 39-year-old Pierzynski also threw out the fleet-footed Byron Buxton trying to steal third base in the third inning, the first time Buxton was caught in eight attempts this season.Ive always liked it here. I said after the game it was kind of weird that they didnt boo me, said Pierzynski, who was a regular for three seasons for the Twins until being traded to San Francisco in 2003. Then again, I think no one in the stands remembered that I played here, it was so long ago. There were actually some claps, which was a little bit different.Harrell, making his fifth start this month but only his eighth in the majors since the end of the 2013 season, gave up four hits and walked three. The right-hander lowered his ERA to 3.38.I just went along with A.J.s plan and made pitches, and thats what it was all about tonight, Harrell said.The 1991 anniversary celebration was launched by Gene Larkin, who had the winning hit in the 10th inning of Game 7, throwing the ceremonial first pitch. Twins starter Ervin Santana, who logged his second complete game in his last four turns, was prepared to emulate Jack Morris, who pitched 10 innings in the famous Game 7.Sure, there was a little less on the line, but Santana (3-9) needed only 97 pitches for nine innings. Allowing seven hits, Santana struck out five without a walk. He lobbied manager Paul Molitor for a return if the Twins were able to tie the game in the ninth.He was like, `Yeah, you got it, Santana said.But Jim Johnson pitched a perfect ninth for his third save in six attempts, completing a five-hitter that stopped the Braves five-game losing streak. The Twins went 0 for 11 with runners in scoring position and stranded seven runners overall.We just squandered opportunities early and didnt muster late, Molitor said.TRADE TALKInterim general manager Rob Antony said hes not calling other teams to try to trade Santana, who is making $13.5 million this year and is signed through 2018. He went 14-10 for the Braves in 2014.If you trade him, you go into the offseason saying, `We really need another veteran. We need another guy we feel good about and are confident hes going to be able to give us a good outing every five days, Antony said before the game. Im not sure that guys going to be out there, and if he is theres going to be a lot of competition to get him.TRADE TALK, PART TWOHarrell could find himself on the move, too, with the Braves also playing out a lost season.I love Atlanta and the group of guys we have in here, he said. I think this team can build a winner again, and Id love to be here for that.The 31-year-old Harrell was signed as a minor league free agent May 21 after he began the season in Detroits organization.TRAINERS ROOMBraves: RHP Julio Teheran had his next turn in the rotation pushed back two days to Saturday as a precaution. Teheran left his previous start with tightness in his back, but he threw on the side Tuesday without trouble.Twins: 3B Trevor Plouffe, progressing through baseball-like activities in his recovery from a broken rib, will take live batting practice by the weekend and could begin a rehab assignment next week. He has been on the DL since July 4.UP NEXTThe Braves will send RHP Mike Foltynewicz (3-4, 3.79 ERA) to the mound Wednesday in trying to sweep the two-game set. RHP Tyler Duffey (5-7, 5.71 ERA) will pitch for the Twins. Christian Okoye Jersey . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Kenny Clark Jersey . General manager Jarmo Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch on Friday that he wants to see Gaboriks contributions go beyond the scoresheet before considering a long-term deal for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. http://www.prochiefsauthentic.com/Youth-Derrick-Nnadi-Elite-Jersey/ . Ancelotti says Ronaldo has recovered from a hamstring injury but "but he doesnt feel comfortable yet so we wont risk him." Madrid is third in the Spanish league, six points behind leader Barcelona, going into Saturdays game against Valladolid. Jordan Lucas Jersey . Halifax beat the Saint John Sea Dogs 7-5 on the strength of two goals apiece from Nikolaj Ehlers, Matt Murphy and Brent Andrews. Jonathan Drouin also scored and had three assists while Zachary Fucale made 17 saves for the Mooseheads (16-8-0), who led 6-1 after two periods. Patrick Mahomes Jersey . The 17-year-old native of Marystown, N.L., pulled out of Skate Canada International last month in Saint John, N.B., with the same problem. Giants manager Bruce Bochy has removed struggling Santiago Casilla as the teams closer, saying that Hunter Strickland and Derek Law will be in line for save opportunities as San Francisco enters a crucial series against the rival Dodgers.Bochy announced his bullpen shakeup one day after Casilla recorded his ninth blown save of the season -- tied for most in the majors -- in Saturdays 3-2 loss to the Cardinals.Bochy declined to appoint either Strickland or Law as a designated closer, but acknowledged that the Giants ninth-inning situation needed to be changed.Its time to tweak it a little bit, Bochy told reporters before Sundays game. Im not saying Law is the closer, but Strickland and Law will be more in the mix in the ninth.San Francisco (79-70) did not face a save situation in Sundays 3-0 loss to St. Louis (78-71), which moved one game behind the Giants for the National Leagues second wild card. The Giants enter Mondays series oopener in Los Angeles five games behind the first-place Dodgers (84-65) in the NL West.ddddddddddddhe hard-throwing Strickland has a 3.24 ERA and three saves in 68 appearances this season. Law, a 26-year-old rookie, has a 1.90 ERA and one save in 55 games.Casilla, 36, has served as the Giants primary closer since midway through the 2014 season and has converted 31-of-40 save opportunities this season. His nine blown saves are tied with White Sox right-hander Nate Jones for most in the majors. Its also the most blown saves by a Giants reliever since Robb Nenn had nine in 1999.Im having bad luck, Casilla said Saturday. I was looking for a double play, but we lose the game. I try to do my best. Im not going to be sad or kill myself. Its a game.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. ' ' '