DETROIT, May 24 (UPI) -- Alex Avila's second homer of the game, a two-run shot in the eighth, rallied the Detroit Tigers to a 7-6 win over Tampa Bay Tuesday.
Trailing 6-5 entering the frame, Detroit struck for a pair of runs to log their second straight win over the Rays, clinching their three-game series.
After Jhonny Peralta drew a one-out walk from Tigers reliever Joel Peralta, Carlos Ramos (0-1) came in to pitch and Avila greeted him by stroking an opposite-field liner that just cleared the left field wall.
The Detroit catcher also notched a solo homer in the sixth and Miguel Cabrera added a three-run shot as the Tigers won their third straight contest following a five-game skid.
Al Albuquerque (1-1) recorded his first major league win after getting the final two outs in the top of the eighth and Joaquin Benoit picked up his first save of the year.
Matt Joyce belted a two-run homer among his three hits and B.J. Upton added two hits and an RBI for the Rays.