With a game-tying shot against the Yankees last night, Twins catcher Joe Mauer stroked his first home run of 2008. . . in his 216th plate appearance.

That’s not to say that Mauer hasn’t been productive. Going into Monday’s 6-5 win, he had 21 RBIs, the most among major leaguers who were without a homer.

Mauer wasn’t the only Twin drawing attention for not finding the seats this spring. Offseason acquisition and power prospect Delmon Young hasn’t hit a longball in 234 plate appearances. That’s the most trips to the plate among the homerless.

With Mauer’s blast last night, the next-highest homer-free total after Young now belongs to Tampa Bay shortstop Jason Bartlett (204 PA), who was acquired from Minnesota as part of the Young-Matt Garza deal.

Both Mauer and Young are capable of driving the ball all over the field. The 25-year-old Mauer already has a batting title and a .314 lifetime average. And with a .319 mark and .405 OBP this spring, he leads Minnesota with 35 runs scored. The young catcher is inclined to stick with what works, and the Twins are leaving him alone. A power breakout will come.

Young, all of 22, ranked among the rookie leaders with a .288 average, 38 doubles and 93 RBIs for Tampa Bay last season. The Twins don’t appear concerned about Mauer or Young when it comes to power numbers. Both may be better hitters for not focusing on turning on pitches or worrying about loft. They are young and talented enough to develop a power stroke in time.

The home run hasn’t been a necessary tool for the young Twins. Although they rank 13th in the American League with just 34 homers, they have a major league-leading .311 average with runners in scoring position, and are fourth in the AL in runs scored.