For the next several weeks we’ll be rolling out our list of the best The Moment’s of 2013. The list is the product of winnowing down 173 moments from April to October into the best twenty. They vary in their importance but all captivated us in an important way. A few are silly, a few are excellent plays, and a few will travel down in Tigers lore. I hope you enjoy it.

#14 – Alex Avila’s 9th inning homerun in Houston

Video

The Tigers had an early lead in this one, but lost it during a strange 7th inning in which the Astros scored on an error and an infield hit. In the top of the ninth, Kelly worked a leadoff walk, Peralta flied out to center, and Alex Avila, who was already stuck in his early season rut came to the plate. He worked a 3-0 count before taking the fourth pitch for a strike. The next pitch, from future teammate Jose Veras, came right down the middle and Avila smashed it to right center. Avila struggled for the next couple of months before turning it on down the stretch, but this big swing in Houston was one of the most excited plays of the year.

How Was The Game? (May 3, 2013)