Double-play combination gives Twins stability at spots once known for turnover

Sunday night the Twins swept the Texas Rangers out of first place and moved 10 games over .500 entering Memorial Day for the first time since 2001.

The Twins' play, while unsatisfying on certain Sundays and against a certain team from New York, has turned the first two months of the 2010 season into a celebration of outdoor baseball, with the quality of baseball not trailing far behind the improved quality of life for ticketed fans.

The Twins hold first place on the morning of Memorial Day for the first time since 2003 for obvious reasons: A deep rotation, a bullpen that has survived the loss of Joe Nathan, sure fielding, and a capable lineup led by the most professional hitting of Justin Morneau's career.

The biggest difference between this Twins team and recent Twins teams that have meandered through the first two months of the season, though, is this:

Their double-play combination of shortstop J.J. Hardy and second baseman Orlando Hudson is a source of confidence, rather than a source of frustration and mystery.

"That makes a big difference, when you have more positions set up and you know who's going to be playing most of the time," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Hitting print on the computer [to set the lineup] is a lot easier than bringing guys up and down."

Hardy missed two weeks because of a bruised wrist. That injury only established his value. The Twins are 22-9 when he is in the starting lineup and 8-11 when he is not.

After the game, Hudson was avoiding using his left wrist, and refusing to answer questions about the injury. Just when he was playing his best baseball of the season, Hudson might have injured himself with a brave attempt at a game-ending catch.

In 2004, the Twins' Opening Day double-play combination featured the soon-to-exit Cristian Guzman and the faltering Luis Rivas. In 2005, it was a raw Jason Bartlett and Rivas. In 2006, it was Juan Castro and Luis Castillo. In 2007, it was Castillo and Bartlett. In 2008, it was Adam Everett and Brendan Harris. In 2009, it was Alexi Casilla and Nick Punto.

This marks the first Memorial Day since Guzman and Rivas were considered long-term solutions that the Twins feel confident their Opening Day middle infielders will remain stable, and a source of strength at the end of the season.

Hudson and Hardy have enabled the Twins to make fewer errors this season than any other team in the majors. They have hidden the Twins' lack of organizational depth at those positions. They have given Gardenhire a true No. 2 hitter (in Hudson) and a threat at No. 8 (Hardy).

Gardenhire has patched together double-play combinations in previous years. This Twins team has surged into first place because Hardy and Hudson have rendered such desperate measures unnecessary.

A year or two ago, the Twins might have settled for Casilla at second and Punto at short, meaning Danny Valencia would have been given the starting third-base job whether he earned it or not. Instead, the infield of Morneau, Hudson, Hardy and Punto has proved spectacular, and Valencia remains in reserve.

The arrival of Hudson and Hardy has helped the Twins avoid their all-too-familiar early-season swoon, has helped the Twins enjoy first place and beautiful Target Field. Monday, the Twins will discover whether they require at least a temporary replacement for their stabilizing second baseman.