Chris Davis ends streak, gets three hits in Orioles’ win over Red Sox

BOSTON—Chris Davis’ streak is a thing of the past. By the time, the Orioles’ 9-5 win over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday was over, Davis was officially hot, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, a single and four RBIs.

Entering the game, Davis was 0-for-33 in 2019 and held the major league records for most consecutive at-bats, 54, and plate appearances, 62, without at hit.

Davis faced Rick Porcello in the first with the bases-loaded and two outs. He lined a single to right field, driving in Trey Mancini and Dwight Smith Jr.

“It was pretty cool,” Davis said. “Obviously, I’ve been looking forward to it for a while. There’s no way to really put into words what I was feeling. When I looked back at our bench and I saw our guys going crazy. That’s probably been the biggest pick-me-up moment in this whole thing.

“Aside from getting the hit, just having guys, day-in and day-out pick me up, constantly helping me stay in a positive mindset. That’s what it’s all about. This is a special group of guys. I can’t say enough about them.”

Davis called for the ball, and received it.

“I talked to one of our coaches before the game, and I asked him. I said: ‘Do you think it’s bush if I get the ball?’” Davis said. “He said, ‘Absolutely not. I think it’s a veteran, pro move.’ It meant a lot to me. That’s a long time without getting a hit. I don’t know what I’m going to do with it, but I’m going to do something special.”

The streak was national news, and Davis thought about it constantly.

“I tried not to let it dominate my thoughts, but it was hard, especially the last few days when I felt better at the plate,” Davis said. “I felt like I was in a good place and still not seeing any return and then coming on the road. At home, it’s one thing, but being on the road, it’s a little different. I was glad to see not just one fall today, but to get a few hits and feel like I really contributed to the win.”

Manager Brandon Hyde was continually asked about Davis, and answered the questions honestly and genially.

“We’re just pulling for the guy,” Hyde said. “I talk about it every day, and that’s part of my job and I’m OK with that. Things happen. It wasn’t about me, it’s about Chris and it’s about his well-being and his mindset and what he’s going through. When you’re with somebody for 12 hours a day and you see the work they’re putting in and it wasn’t paying off until today — it’s a great feeling to watch him do what he did today.”

Davis, who was greeted in the clubhouse with a team rally, was tired of having his teammates asked about him.

“I think the biggest thing for me is just not having the headache of having to answer questions and having my teammates answer questions and Hyde,” Davis said.

“Good grief, he’s had to answer questions pretty much every day about me. We’ve kind of turned the page now and really focused on the team. I hate when one guy is singled out, especially when it’s something negative. We’ve done so many positive things this season already. My 0-for was kind of overshadowing it, so I’m glad it’s behind us.”

Starting and winning pitcher Andrew Cashner is among those who have supported Davis.

“I know it’s definitely probably a big weight off his shoulders,” Cashner said. “For us as as a team, it’s going to help us in the long run. But I just try to keep telling him, nobody ever remembers what you do in April. If he can get it together for the whole season, I mean, he used to be one of the best hitters in the AL.”

In the fifth, Davis doubled to right for two runs. He drove in his fourth run on a fielder’s choice in the sixth. He added a double in the eighth. It was his first four-RBI game since July 29, 2018.

Davis is now batting .079.

Cashner gets the win:  Cashner allowed three runs on three hits in five-plus innings.

He gave up just one hit in the first five innings, a two-run home run to Christian Vazquez in the third. But Andrew Benintendi started the sixth with a double and, after Mookie Betts singled, Hyde went to the bullpen for Jimmy Yacabonis.

Benintendi scored when Mitch Moreland hit into a double play.

Mychal Givens retired the last five batters, striking out four.

The Orioles had lost four straight and eight of nine. They’re 6-9.

Wynns plays for Bowie: Catcher Austin Wynns, who has been on the 10-day injured list because of a strained left oblique since March 25, began a rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie.

“He’s going to play, and we’ll see how he feels,” Hyde said. “We’ll make decisions about him and with him as he progresses.”

Wynns caught all nine innings in Bowie’s 10-4 loss to Harrisburg Saturday. He was 0-for-4 with a walk.

Nunez at third base? Renato Nunez was the designated hitter for the 13^th time in 15 games. He has yet to play third base. During spring training, he was slowed by a right biceps injury.

“I think you’re going to see [Nunez] over there a little bit,” Hyde said. “I think the arm is recovering. He feels good. He’s done a nice job with ground balls, done a lot of infield stuff with him. You’ll start seeing him in the infield a little bit.”