Tigers pile on Boston bullpen

DETROIT -- Alex Avila's drive sailed to deep right field, barely clearing both an outfielder and a wall.

An exhilarating opening series at Comerica Park was finally over, and the Detroit catcher could look forward to some much-needed rest.

"I'm too tired right now," Avila said. "I'm glad we have an off day (today). This weekend has been crazy."

Avila's two-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning gave the Tigers a stunning 13-12 victory over Boston on Sunday, leaving the Red Sox winless in three games under new manager Bobby Valentine.

Detroit scored 26 runs in the series and won twice in its final at-bat.

"Our guys played a hell of a game," Valentine said. "We had a walk-off loss on Opening Day, then got beat 10-0 and were down 4-0 in the first inning today -- but we fought back and took them 11 innings."

The Tigers trailed 10-7 on Sunday when Miguel Cabrera tied the game with a three-run shot off Alfredo Aceves in the ninth. Boston then scored twice in the 11th on RBI singles by Nick Punto and Dustin Pedroia, but Mark Melancon (0-2) couldn't hold the lead.

Cabrera and Prince Fielder singled with one out before a wild pitch sent Cabrera to third, and Delmon Young's sacrifice fly cut the margin in 12-11. Avila followed with a drive to right and Cody Ross tried to make a leaping catch, but the ball appeared to hit a restraining gate just above the wall before caroming back onto the field.

Avila paused near second, then was waved around the bases. The play was not reviewed. Valentine said he asked and was assured by umpires that the ball hit the railing above the fence.

"You don't see those kinds of games at this level very often," Avila said. "There's really no rhyme or reason or explanation for it."

Boston is without newly acquired closer Andrew Bailey, who had surgery on his right thumb. Melancon and Aceves are the primary candidates to replace Bailey, and both blew saves Sunday.

"This is a work in progress," Valentine said. "We're three days in after losing our closer, and we're still trying to figure it out."

Adrian Gonzalez's two-run homer in the sixth gave Boston a 9-7 lead.