Making the right moves, Twins beat the Yankees

NEW YORK - Ron Gardenhire summoned Justin Morneau into his office Monday. The Twins manager wanted to talk about dropping him in the batting order, but his player had an agenda, too.

"How about if I play first base?" Morneau asked.

"That's an interesting thought," Gardenhire replied.

Both men got what they wanted -- and the Twins came out ahead.

The moves clicked as the Twins quieted the Bronx crowd by beating the New York Yankees 7-3. Well, a Yankee Stadium crowd can never be truly quieted, as one fan behind home plate sandwiched obscenities around the phrase, "We're losing to Minnesota!" in the late innings that everyone in the park could hear.

By then, that fan, part of an announced crowd of 40,218, watched Morneau and Joe Mauer again shine at new Yankee Stadium and righthander Carl Pavano earn his first career victory over the Yankees in five career starts. Handed a 2-0 lead in the first inning, Pavano promptly gave up three first-inning runs that included back-to-back homers to start, but he recovered from the rough beginning to pitch seven strong innings against his former team.

Gardenhire entered the evening 7-33, including the playoffs, against the Yankees in New York. But part of his therapy must be to forget what has happened here in the past.

It was a new lineup as well, as Gardenhire broke up the M&M boys before the game. Mauer batted in his customary No. 3 spot in the order. Morneau was moved to the No. 5 spot as Josh Willingham batted cleanup.

It was the first time Morneau hasn't followed Mauer in the batting order since April 4, 2008, when Mauer batted second against the Royals with Morneau fourth. The last time they batted third and fifth, respectively, was Sept. 29, 2007, against the Red Sox.

"Kind of separate the two lefties," Gardenhire said of Mauer and Morneau.

And they separately did in the Yankees.

Mauer was 3-for-4 with two doubles and a single, driving in the go-ahead run in a two-run fifth inning against Freddy Garcia. The three hits gave Mauer 1,107 for his career, moving him into 10th place on the Twins' all-time list, one more than Michael Cuddyer.

"Wherever they go, we will go," catcher Ryan Doumit said. "They are the heartbeat of this team."

Morneau announced during spring training that he would spent most of his time at designated hitter this season in an effort to avoid having concussion symptoms return. But he decided only 10 games in that it was time to dust off the glove.

It's not a permanent switch, but Morneau plans on playing in the field during interleague road games anyway. He even dived after and deflected Mark Teixeira's infield single in the sixth with no problems.

"I was happy with Morneau at first base," Gardenhire said. "He played nice over there. I talked to him after the game and he felt really good."

Morneau at first base. Mauer and Morneau double-teaming opponents. It was like old times.