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Detroit Tigers first baseman Alex Avila makes a tumbling catch off the bat of Russell Martin to end the fourth inning Saturday afternoon.
(Courtesy of MLB.TV)
DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila told reporters before Saturday's game that he didn't expect to be "amazing" at first base.
"I'm going to be adequate," Avila cautioned.
What Avila did in the fourth inning against Toronto was anything but adequate.
Making his first career start at first base, Avila made a leaping catch and tumbled into the seats down the right-field line after tracking down Russell Martin's popup.
"I just stuck my glove back as a I was falling down, and it went in," Avila said after Detroit's 8-3 win.
The highlight-reel catch in foul territory ended the fourth inning.
Starting at first in light of Miguel Cabrera's devastating injury, Avila was helped to his feet by Ian Kinsler and J.D. Martinez. He received a hearty applause from the home crowd and a hug from Kinsler as he trotted back to the Tigers' dugout.
"He came out of nowhere," Kinsler said. "I thought I was going to catch that ball. He just kinda flung his body backwards into the stands. That was an extremely impressive catch."
Watch a replay of the catch and the crowd's reaction below:
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