Alex Avila went 3-for-4 with a home run and five RBI’s last night to power the Tigers to a 7-3 win at Baltimore. Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez added back-to-back blasts in the fifth for Detroit, which improved to 2-and-3 while handing the Orioles their first loss of the season.

Justin Verlander, who is now 6-and-0 lifetime against the Orioles, fanned nine while tossing 4-hit ball over eight innings to improve to 1-and-0. Joaquin Benoit pitched a perfect ninth for the Tigers.

Avila put Detroit ahead 2-to-0 in the second with a 2-run double and made it 4-to-0 with a 2-run blast in the fourth. He capped his day with an RBI single in the eighth.

Brad Penny starts for Detroit tonight in the rubber game of the 3-game series at Baltimore and then tomorrow afternoon at Comerica Park, it’s the Tiger’s home opener against the Royals, who last night lost 10-to-7 to the White Sox, who have their home opener this afternoon against Tampa Bay.

The Cubs are 3-and-3 after losing 6-to-4 to Arizona yesterday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Texas is off to a 6-and-0 after the Rangers beat Seattle while the Red Sox are 0-and-5 after losing last night at Cleveland. The Indians will try to finish off a 3-game sweep this afternoon and then Boston has its home opener Friday afternoon against the Yankees.