Chris Davis is having a season for the ages.
A friend texted me the other day, “Do I think Chris Davis is on PEDs?”
I can definitely understand the cynicism that he had, but I quipped, “Probably not”
“Nothing surprises me, but I would I be – if that was the case with Davis.”
During the offseason, I was worried how the Orioles would do offensively without the bat of Mark Reynolds.
While Reynolds is struggling, Chris Davis and company are propelling the Baltimore offense, plus maintaining their status as contenders.
Anyhow, Davis put on show against the New York Yankees, where he hit his 29th and 30th homeruns of season and led the Orioles over their divisional rivals, 11-3.
They are now 46-36, ten games over .500 and have taken the series. The Orioles can go for the series sweep on Sunday.
It’s surprising to see Chris Davis and the Orioles continue to rise, while the Yankees may be at the end of their impressive cycle of winning. The Yankees were essentially got out of the game after the first inning and the Orioles did not relent at all.
The Orioles got the scoring done early as they put a four spot up in the first inning. Adam Jones plated in a run by getting a base hit down the left field line; thereafter, Chris Davis launched his 29th homer to left-center field, scoring Markakis – who singled – and Jones.
Baltimore had a 4-0 lead after that frame and didn’t look back from there. They raised the score to 9-0 after the third inning, thanks to a two-run single from Chris Dickerson, followed up by a three-run homer by Ryan Flaherty.
They took an 11-2 advantage in the sixth inning as Davis homered again – a two-run shot for his 30th of the season.
Every Oriole in the night – with exception of Nate McLouth – had a hit.
Nick Markakis had three, while Chris David, Matt Wieters, Chris Dickerson and Ryan Flaherty each had two.
Zach Britton – who started on the mound for Baltimore – earned the win. With the huge run support, he was able to log 5 2/3 innings, allow two runs and give up six hits.
He was able to escape trouble in the first innings and pitched real well from there; however, he had a tough time of things in the sixth inning and that’s when New York scored twice.
Jair Jurrjens came into the after that and pitched in relief. He went 2 1/3 innings and gave no runs. Pedro Strop came into the game and pitched in the ninth inning.
