DETROIT _ Brad Ausmus didn't want to mess with it.
This season, Detroit Tigers youngster Matt Boyd has thrown only to veteran Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
"There's a comfort level there," Ausmus said. "It seems to be working."
It worked once again in Monday's series opener against the Minnesota Twins, in which Boyd threw the best game of his major league career.
Making a second spot start for the injured back-end of the Tigers rotation, the lefthander threw six scoreless innings on three hits. He tied a career-high with seven strikeouts and walked one.
Boyd needed only the backing of Justin Upton, who hit a solo home run in the second inning, to win, 1-0, over the lowly Twins, owners of the worst record in baseball. The Twins fired veteran general manager Terry Ryan before Monday's game.
Upton's homer off Ricky Nolasco stayed fair by mere feet, inside of the foul pole in left field. It was his 10tj of the season and 200th of his career.
Justin Wilson relieved Boyd and threw a scoreless seventh inning, Shane Greene threw a scoreless eighth and Francisco Rodriguez picked up his 26th save in 28 chances in the ninth inning.
The game ended when Rodriguez struck out Brian Dozier swinging and Saltalamacchia threw out pinch-runner Danny Santana attempting to steal second base.
Saltalamacchia started at catcher for the second consecutive game, one day after hitting a walk-off home run on Sunday against the Royals, but not for his bat.
"It's strictly about Boyd and Salty," Ausmus said. "His last couple outings, he's been effective. Salty was back there for those, so that's why he's back there again."
Boyd allowed one run on four hits over five innings against the Blue Jays on July 9.
