Jarrod Saltalamacchia, a switch-hitting catcher, was in the lineup at first base Thursday night against Minnesota and ace left-hander Johan Santana. It was an uneventful night for 8 1/3 innings, but his inexperience showed when he failed to cleanly field Justin Morneau's bouncer in the hole during the Twins' ninth-inning rally. Michael Cuddyer, representing the tying run at third, did not try to score on the play, although he would have easily after Saltalamacchia dropped the ball. No error was charged, but Morneau was safe at first and would come around to score the game-winning run. Saltalamacchia had a rough night at the plate, too, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. It was the first start at first for Saltalamacchia, whose only game experience at first base since high school was one inning June 3 at Chicago. "I was hoping [for a start at first base]," he said before the game. "I've been working hard over there. I feel confident."