Avila's 9th-inning homerun powers Tigers past Indians, 4-2

In the wake of Jhonny Peralta's 50-game suspension, Alex Avila blasted the ball into the Progressive Field bleachers for a three-run homerun in the 9th inning to give the Detroit Tigers their ninth straight victory with a 4-2 win over the Cleveland Indians to take a four-game lead in the AL Central division in the opener of a four-game series.

Prince Fielder led off the 9th inning with a double, followed by Victor Martinez's single to drive him home. Then Andy Dirks, who essetially replaced Peralta in the sixth spot until the last week of the regular season, walked on five pitches to set up Avila's game-winner.

Detroit will go for ten straight wins when they face the Indians again in Cleveland this Tuesday night at 7 pm.