The Detroit Tigers learned that they would be without All-Star Miguel Cabrera, but that did not stop them from winning 8-3 over the Toronto Blue Jays. 

J.D. Martinez carried the load, crushing a home run to lead the Tigers to score eight runs for the second-straight game. Alex Avila looked like an everyday first baseman, making outstandingly smart plays to help fill the void of Cabrera. 

"It's going to be tough without him, for sure," said Avila, who made his first career start at first base. "With him being out an extended period of time, we just need to keep it as close as possible to be able to make a run when he gets back."

Avila made an outstanding web gem on Saturday with Russell Martin at the plate in the fourth inning. He traveled down the right-field line and dove into the crowd to make the catch. It was arguably the best play from a first baseman during this 2015 season. 

The Tigers got off to a hot start, scoring four runs in the first inning to back starter David Price early in the contest. 

"R.A. settled down after that first inning, but you can't give David Price four runs in the first inning and expect to win the game," said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons.

James McCann showed his speed with a triple to right and J.D. Martinez raked a 400 foot bomb. 

"It's always important to score first," Ian Kinsler said. "That's the trigger to every game, especially with David Price on the mound. If you give him run support, you allow him to go to work."

Price went seven innings strong, giving up one run on eight hits and one walk. The southpaw struck out seven and tossed 114 pitches. He is now 8-2 with a 2.54 ERA after taking the win. 

R.A. Dickey, a knuckle ball pitcher, went 5.2 innings and was rocked by the Motor City. He gave up five runs on 11 hits and two walks, striking out just one. Dickey took the loss and is now a poor 3-9 with a 5.02 ERA. 

"That's probably the worst knuckler I've had all season," he said. "When you are a knuckleballer and it isn't working, you really feel naked out there."

Detroit manager Brad Aumus sent out Jeff Ferrell to make his Major League debut. Ferrell gave up a home run to Chris Colabello, which did not give Ferrell the welcome he expected. Ferrell pitched most of 2015 in with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves.