Mariners Video

Hernandez's strong start

Hernandez's nine strikeouts

Twins Video

Slowey's strong start

Slowey's scoreless start

And Capps did his part on Friday night, notching his first save for Minnesota (27th overall) during its 5-3 win over the Mariners.

So the Twins sit satisfied with the addition they've already made.

"This makes us a better club," Twins general manager Bill Smith said. "Matt is a veteran closer, a veteran reliever and he's going to be a very good fit for this club."

Minnesota has come alive after the All-Star break, winning six in a row. It has a tough test against Mariners ace Felix Hernandez on Saturday. Hernandez faced the Twins on June 3 and allowed five hits and one run in eight innings.

Last year, the Twins added pitchers Carl Pavano and Jon Rauch and shortstop Orlando Cabrera around midseason, and it propelled them into the postseason. So far, so good for Minnesota this year.

"If there is something else, and a starter is available and he's better than what we have, that could happen, too," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "There are still plenty of options out there, and a lot more teams trying to make moves. But right now, this is a good move for us."

Twins: Blackburn sent to Triple-A
The Twins optioned right-hander Nick Blackburn to Triple-A Rochester on Friday to make room on the roster for Capps. Blackburn had 11 wins and tossed 205 innings last season, but he has struggled in 2010, going 7-7 with a 6.66 ERA in 18 starts.

"He needs to pitch. Talking with him, I think he recognized that too," Gardenhire said. "Right now, it's about getting on the mound and pitching, and he agreed with that, too."

Mariners: Smoak signals fatigue with slump
Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak was given the day off on Friday. The rookie has only two hits in his past 36 at-bats, a miserable scuffle that manager Don Wakamatsu wants the young left-hander to put behind him.

"There are some adjustments we have been talking about making with him so are giving him a day or two here and there to clear his head a little bit, to where he can focus more," Wakamatsu said. "That's why he's not in the lineup today."

Worth noting
Twins infielder Nick Punto was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. Trevor Plouffe was called up from Triple-A Rochester to replace him. ... Twins first baseman Justin Morneau took swings in the batting cage on Friday for the first time since suffering a concussion on July 7.