Minnesota’s twins: Mauer-Morneau has become tough All-Star tandem _ is it baseball’s best?

Twins All-Star tandem Mauer and Morneau on the map

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota’s Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are fast becoming one of baseball’s best batting tandems.

The two Twins have been selected for the All-Star team for a third time each. Mauer will start at catcher for the American League squad in St. Louis next week. Morneau is a reserve first baseman.

The players found out Sunday. Mauer expressed appreciation for the fans who made him the second-most popular player on the AL ballot. Morneau was honored that his fellow players helped pick him.

Batting back-to-back in the Minnesota lineup has helped make Mauer and Morneau even tougher outs this season. Mauer is hitting .389 with 14 home runs — already a career high. Morneau is second in the league in homers and RBIs.