Braves Beat Twins 2-0 In Majors-Worst Matchup
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Lucas Harrell pitched six innings, Adonis Garcia homered and the Atlanta Braves beat the Minnesota Twins 2-0 on Tuesday night in a matchup of the worst teams in the majors.
This untimely meeting came nearly 25 years after the Twins beat the Braves in a World Series that's often been mentioned among the most dramatic in history. The 1991 anniversary celebration was marked by Gene Larkin, who had the winning hit in the 10th inning of Game 7, throwing the ceremonial first pitch.
A.J. Pierzynski doubled and scored against his original team. Behind the plate, he helped guide Harrell (2-2) to his first scoreless start in the majors since June 9, 2013. 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.
Minnesota right-hander Ervin Santana (3-9) had little help while logging his second complete game in his last four turns. He needed only 97 pitches for nine innings, allowing seven hits. He struck out five without a walk.
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.
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.
TRADE TALKS?
Interim general manager Rob Antony said he's not calling other teams to try to trade Santana, who is making $13.5 million this year and is signed through 2018.
"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 he's going to be able to give us a good outing every five days,'" Antony said before the game. "I'm not sure that guy's going to be out there, and if he is there's going to be a lot of competition to get him."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Atlanta: 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.
Minnesota: 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 NEXT
The 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.
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