Twins win first game of weekend series against Seattle

Matt Capps worked a scoreless ninth inning for a save in his first appearance with the Minnesota Twins, preserving a 5-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.

Associated Press

Twins win first game of weekend series against Seattle

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -Matt Capps worked a scoreless ninth inning for a save in his first appearance with the Minnesota Twins, preserving a 5-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.

Capps, acquired from the Washington Nationals the previous night, gave up a two-out single to Chone Figgins before striking out Casey Kotchman, ending the game with a pump of his fist. Of 94 career saves by Capps, he has 11 against AL teams.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire played with his enhanced bullpen like a shiny new toy, effectively using Jesse Crain and Jose Mijares for two outs each and Matt Guerrier for four outs before turning to Capps for the ninth. The right-hander drew a loud cheer when he jogged to the mound while "The Final Countdown" by ballad band Europe blared over the speakers.

Jim Thome and Alexi Casilla homered in support of Scott Baker (9-9), who evened his record with some help from another last-place opponent the Twins have fattened up on lately. Franklin Gutierrez had two hits and an RBI for the Mariners, who lost their fifth straight and made two costly errors behind Doug Fister (3-7).