Dusty Ryan, a 48th-round selection four years ago in the First-Year Player Draft, only this season played himself into even being considered a prospect, according to Tigers manager Jim Leyland. So one could forgive the 24-year-old rookie catcher for the smile he flashed as he rounded the bases after smacking the first pitch he saw in his first Major League start for a two-run homer.

The blast gave Detroit an early lead, which it would surrender, but the team clawed back against Minnesota’s bullpen for the second consecutive day and won, 7-5, in front of 31,236 at the Metrodome.

• Tigers surge past Twins to take series | tigers.com: News