Matt Capps

Summoned in the ninth inning of a tie game on Monday, Matt Capps gave up the winning run to fall to 0-2.

He yielded two singles sandwiched around a costly wild pitch. Capps had been nearly perfect in five May appearances and has yet to blow a save opportunity in seven chances.

Matt Capps picked up his fourth save of the season in the Twins victory over the Rays on Friday.

Rather than his typical roller coaster ride, Capps set down the Rays in order on just nine pitches. While not the most dominant reliever in the league, Capps proved once again that he can still be a solid source of saves.

Matt Capps walked the tight rope Thursday against the Angels by giving up two runs on three hits, but still walked away with the save.

The Angels actually had the tying run on second base with two outs, but Capps was able to get Chris Iannetta to ground out to third base to end it. The 28-year-old right-hander was surprisingly brought back over the winter, despite posting a 4.25 ERA and a career-low 4.7 K/9 last season. He’s being trusted with the ninth-inning again this season, but we wouldn’t be surprised if Glen Perkins eventually grabs the job.

Matt Capps blew a save by giving up a two-run homer to Tampa Bay’s Cody Rogers on Monday.

This isn’t the best of signs. Rogers, for what it’s worth, had a .725 OPS in the Midwest League last year. Capps would seem to be, at best, Minnesota’s third most effective reliever behind lefties Glen Perkins and Brian Duensing. The closer’s role will be his initially, but he may not own it for long.

Matt Capps gave up a homer to Rafael Furcal in the fifth inning and took a loss to the Cardinals on Friday.

Capps figures to open the season as the Twins’ closer, but he doesn’t figure to be the team’s best or even second-best reliever. Maybe they’ll eventually give Glen Perkins a look in that role; he’s already locked up to a cheap deal and they have a quality second lefty in Brian Duensing.