Orioles notes: Davis slumping on defense, too; Gentry's future unclear

First baseman Chris Davis’ eighth-inning throwing error was costly in the Orioles’ 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field, opening the door to a pair of unearned runs off right-handed reliever Evan Phillips.

And while most of the attention Davis has received this season has been for his struggles at the plate, numbers show a regression on defense as well.

With a runner on first and one out, Matt Duffy’s grounder to first was one that Davis has turned into 3-6-3 double plays many times before, but Davis’ throw to second tailed wide of shortstop Tim Beckham and into left field.

“It’s a play that he’s made a long time,” manager Buck Showalter said. “In fact, it’s…