CLEVELAND, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Alex Avila rallied Detroit with a go-ahead, three-run homer in the ninth inning Monday and the Tigers won a ninth straight, 4-2 over Cleveland.
The Tigers were trailing their division rivals 2-0 entering the ninth and facing Indians closer Chris Perez (4-2), but stunned the Tribe with four runs.
Prince Fielder began the rally with a lead-off double and scored when Victor Martinez (3-for-4) followed with another two-bagger.
After Andy Dirks drew a walk, Avila drilled a pitch to the opposite field that cleared the left-field wall for a clutch, three-run shot.
Al Alburquerque (2-2) earned the win after retiring the final batter in the eighth and Joaquin Benoit notched his third save as the Tigers extended their American League Central lead over second-place Cleveland to four games.
Carlos Santana and Jason Giambi each drove in a run as the Indians dropped the first contest of a crucial four-game series.