CINCINNATI - Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was looking for a good, low-pressure spot to get closer Matt Capps back on the mound. He found it during a lopsided game on Saturday.

Capps gave up an unearned run in the eighth inning of Minnesota's 6-0 loss to Johnny Cueto and the Cincinnati Reds. Capps hadn't pitched since June 15 because of a sore shoulder that has been slowly improving.

With the Twins down by five runs in the eighth, Gardenhire got him into the game.

"Still feeling it a little bit in there, but for the most part, I'm pretty happy with the way I threw the ball," Capps said. "Better than I expected. The delivery was a little rusty maybe, but all in all, I'm pretty pleased with that."

He gave up an unearned run on a double, a walk and third baseman Trevor Plouffe's error, throwing 23 pitches. Capps was curious how the shoulder would react in a game, and came away encouraged.

"I think that's the biggest thing always when you're a little beat up, banged up — how is it going to feel first time in the game?" Capps said. "You can throw as many bullpens (sessions) and as many times on the side as you want, but you can't simulate that game environment."