SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Cincinnati Reds right-hander Rookie Davis was trusted to deliver the first pitch of Cactus League play for the Reds on Friday, pitching two innings against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium.
Facing a lineup that featured big-league regulars like Brandon Crawford, Joe Panik, Brandon Belt and Hunter Pence, Davis allowed four hits and one run, striking out two and walking none. Readings on his fastball in the first inning had it sitting between 93 and 95 mph, an uptick compared to his injury-affected velocity in 2016.
“Reading the swings I was getting off guys, it seemed like it played a lot better today, whereas last year I couldn’t do the things I did today,” Davis said.