Alex Avila blasted an opposite-field solo homer of Jarrod Parker, helping to power the Tigers to a 3-1 victory over the A's in Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday. Avila finished the night 2-for-3. His solo blast increased the Tigers advantage to 3-1 in the fifth inning providing a valuable insurance run. The young backstop hit just .073 (3-for-41) with a homer and two RBI over 11 games in the postseason a year ago, so it's encouraging to see him get off to such a hot start.