Avila leads Tigers in comeback win over Rays, 7-6

**Admin** Tue May 24, 2011 10:54 pm

Alex Avila’s second homer of the game gave the Detroit Tigers the lead in the eighth inning and they held on for a 7-6 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Avila hit a go-ahead, two-run shot off Cesar Ramos. He had a solo drive in the sixth off starter Wade Davis.

Al Alburquerque (1-1) earned his first major league victory in his 14th appearance after getting two key outs in the eighth. He inherited a bases-loaded, one-out jam and got out of it by striking out Sean Rodriguez and getting Sam Fuld to ground into a fielder’s choice.

Joaquin Benoit pitched the ninth for his first save, filling in for Jose Valverde because the Detroit closer threw 27 pitches Monday night.

POSTGAME INTERVIEWS

Tigers catcher Alex Avila

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander

Rays manager Joe Maddon