"Joe Mauer was worth even more than his two hits, run scored and RBI on Wednesday. By playing first base he also cleared the way for Jim Thome's double, run scored and RBI in a 7-5 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

Mauer even saved a run with his glove as he continued to play flawless defense at his new position.

"The more and more I go out there, I get a little more comfortable," Mauer said. "So it's been good."

In a season in which nearly every Twins plan has gone haywire, Mauer's move to first has been more than good; it's been a rousing success. The Twins improved to 3-1 with Mauer at first on Wednesday, and Mauer is batting .563 (9 for 16) while filling in for injured all-star Justin Morneau.

Mauer went 2 for 4 and raised his batting average to .297. With runners on second and third and two out in the seventh, Mauer dug Alexi Casilla's throw out of the dirt to keep the score tied 4-4. The play seemed to even surprise Mauer.

Asked to rank the play among others he has made during three Gold Glove seasons behind the plate, Mauer said, "That's the thing, for not being able to do it, that's pretty high up there. Just being able to make plays for your team, despite being nervous because you haven't done it a whole lot, it feels pretty good."

Mauer was in fact given the choice between playing first and catching for the crucial finale in a four-game series with American League Central-leading Cleveland. The Twins needed a victory to split and needed both Mauer and Thome in the lineup to win.

It was the same thing Michael Cuddyer did last season when Morneau went down with a concussion, playing first, second and third base so that Jason Kubel could play right field and Thome, who no longer plays defense, could DH.

"You do it," Cuddyer said. "You do what the team needs."

In Mauer's case, it serves a dual purpose: It not only gets Thome in the lineup, but it also gives Mauer a game without squatting behind the plate. He already has missed two months this season because of leg weakness and has been plagued by leg injuries throughout his career - not uncommon for a catcher. "