Matt Capps returns, but not as Twins closer

The Minnesota Twins have closer Matt Capps back in the lineup, or rather, they have reliever Matt Capps back in the lineup. On Monday, Capps returned for a ninth-inning appearance against the New York Yankees, though he wasn't trying to earn a save, as the Twins were already well-behind in that game. He pitched well, giving up two hits but not allowing a run in what would have been a save had the Twins been leading in that one.

Still, he might be getting fewer appearances in the ninth inning and more time prior to that, as Glen Perkins is going to remain the closer, according to manager Ron Gardenhire. It seems like there's plenty of reasons for this, but the biggest is likely that Minnesota doesn't want to rush Capps back with extended playing time with the season so close to its end and the team firmly out of the playoff race. The Pioneer Press had a quote from Gardenhire on it:

"We'll bring Capps in whenever we can," Gardenhire said before the Twins' game Tuesday night against the Yankees. "We just want to try to get him some innings. He's capable of getting us out of an inning. More than anything, we just want him to finish out the season healthy."

It helps that Gardenhire has been pretty good, too. He's secured the win in his last four appearances, and has done so in eight of his last 10, as well. Capps was on the disabled list from July 16 to just before Monday's game. On Tuesday morning, Capps did say that there was some soreness in his shoulder, so it's probably a good thing that he'll be limited for the remainder of the season. A lengthy offseason of soreness is not worth getting a few extra pitches in when the team is well out of the postseason race.

Matt Capps returns from injury for the Minnesota Twins, but not as the closer

Minnesota Twins reliever Matt Capps returned to action on Monday for the first time since July 16, but Capps is no longer the team's closer according to manager Ron Gardenhire.

Gardenhire told Ray Richardson of TwinCities.com that Capps will be used when needed in relief but Glen Perkins will be the team's closer for the remainder of the season. Perkins has appeared in 67 games for the Twins this season and has a 4-1 record with 15 saves.

Capps, a nine year veteran in his third year with the Twins, has appeared in 30 games this season and has posted a 1-4 record with 14 saves. He was out injured due to suffering inflammation in his right rotator cuff.

Despite being eliminated from playoff contention with a 65-91 record, the Twins will have an opportunity to influence the postseason as they open a three-game series with the division leading Detroit Tigers this Friday. The Tigers are currently tied with the White Sox for first place in the AL Central.

Yankees vs. Twins final score: Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson lead Yankees past the Twins, 8-2

A six-run third inning sparked by hits from Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson led the New York Yankees to an 8-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday afternoon.

Cano doubled to right field to score Ichiro Suzuki and Chris Dickerson and give the Yankees an early 2-1 lead. Granderson tripled later in the inning to bring in Cano and Nick Swisher, then scored himself on a wild pitch to extend the Yankees' lead to 6-1 after three innings.

CC Sabathia improved to 14-6 on the season after striking out 10 and only allowing two earned runs on six hits in eight innings of work.

With the win the Yankees opened up a two-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East and reduced their magic number to six with seven games to play. The Orioles will have a chance to cut New York's lead when they wrap up a four-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays at home on Wednesday night.

Josh Willingham injury: Twins outfielder likely out until Friday

Josh Willingham injured himself earlier in the week trying to snag an Eric Chavez home run. The Minnesota Twins outfielder is day-to-day, but will likely miss Wednesday's game against the New York Yankees.

Yankees vs. Twins final score: Minnesota rallies to beat New York, 5-4

The Minnesota Twins rallied for four runs in the seventh inning and then held on to beat the New York Yankees, 5-4 in the second game of a three-game series at Target Field.

Minnesota was able to chase New York starter Phil Hughes in the deciding seventh inning after a pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases with two outs. Yankee reliever Boone Logan came on to work out of the jam but promptly allowed four runs to score.

Minnesota centerfielder Denard Span had the big blow in the seventh with a two-run double followed two batters later by a run-scoring single off of the bat of catcher Joe Mauer.

Casey Fien (2-1) earned the win in relief while Glen Perkins picked up his 15th save of the season despite giving up a home run to Andruw Jones in the ninth inning.

The Yankees scored all of their runs via the long ball. In addition to Jones' last-gasp blast, Nick Swisher hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning followed later by a solo shot from Russell Martin in the top of the seventh.

The loss kept the Yankees two games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East race. The Twins have now won three of their last four games as the two teams finish the series on Wednesday afternoon at 1:10 p.m. ET.

Yankees vs. Twins lineups: Twinkies look to even series

The Twins dropped Monday night's series opener with the AL East leading Yankees 6-3, victims of a resurgent Nick Swisher and Raul Ibanez. Minnesota get another chance to sabotage New York's AL East title hopes Tuesday night at Target Field.

The Yankees send Phil Hughes (16-12, 4.05) to the mound. Hughes has won four straight starts, though he has been helped mightily by the New York offense in recent appearances. The Twins run out Esmerling Vasquez (0-2, 6.75), who is looking for his first win of the year in his sixth start.

Lineups as follows:

Yankees (89-64)

Twins vs. Yankees preview: Game time, TV schedule, probable pitchers

On Tuesday, the Twins will host the red-hot Yankees in the second leg of a three-game series.

The Yanks have lost just once in their last nine games, as they continue their push for the AL East crown. The Twins will try to avoid a slide into last place in the AL Central.

Phil Hughes will start on Tuesday for New York, in search of his 17th win this year. He has won three consecutive starts, and has a 4.05 ERA on the season.

The Twins will counter with Esmerling Vasquez, who served as a relief pitcher for three seasons in Arizona. The Twins, who claimed Vasquez off waivers last year, have recently called the righty up and are trying him out as a starter.

Through his first four starts, Vasquez has struggled with walks, posting a 6.75 ERA and averaging more than six free passes per nine innings.

Tuesday's game will start at 7:10 CT, and will air on FSNO.

For updates on this series, stay tuned to SB Nation Minnesota. For more comprehensive coverage, check out Twins blog Twinkie Town and Yankees blog Pinstriped Bible. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, visit Baseball Nation.

Yankees Vs. Twins Final Score: Twins Drop Series Opener 6-3

The Minnesota Twins scored three runs in the final two innings, but it was not enough as the New York Yankees held on for a 6-3 win.

Liam Hendriks started the game for the Twins and immediately got into trouble, allowing three runs in the first inning. Robinson Cano got the scoring started with a RBI groundout before Nick Swisher hit his 23rd home run to put New York up 3-0. Hendriks went on to allow three more runs, finishing with six runs over 6-1/3 innings.

The Twins were unable to get anything going against Yankees' starter Andy Pettitte. Pettitte didn't allow a run over six innings, picking up his fifth win of the season. Minnesota got on the board when Pedro Florimon hit his first home run of the season in the eighth inning. Chris Parmelee hit a pinch-hit two-run triple in the bottom of the ninth inning to pull Minnesota within three, but it wasn't enough as the Yankees held on for the 6-3 win.

The series will continue Tuesday with first pitch scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.

For updates on this series, stay tuned to SB Nation Minnesota. For more comprehensive coverage, check out Twins blog Twinkie Town and Yankees blog Pinstriped Bible. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, visit Baseball Nation.

Yankees Vs. Twins Preview: Minnesota Welcomes New York To Target Field

The Minnesota Twins open a three-game series against the New York Yankees on Monday night.