Major League Baseball

Davis hits 2 HRs, has 5 RBIs as Orioles beat Braves 7-3

Published Jul. 28, 2015 10:11 p.m. ET

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BALTIMORE (AP) With the non-waiver trade deadline approaching, the Baltimore Orioles appear poised to be buyers instead of sellers.

Even if the team remains in its current state, the Orioles believe they're good enough to make a return trip to the playoffs.

Chris Davis homered twice and drove in five runs, and Baltimore cruised past the Atlanta Braves 7-3 on Tuesday night for its fourth straight victory.

Davis will become a free agent after this season, and when the Orioles were slumping not long ago there was speculation that the slugger might be traded before July 31.

With 24 homers and 65 RBIs, Davis almost certainly isn't going anywhere.

''My job is to go out and play as hard as I can for the Orioles,'' he said. ''That's on every guy's mind. For us to pay attention (to trade rumors) and step outside the lines is not going to be beneficial.''

Davis hit a three-run shot in the first inning and a two-run drive in the second, both off Julio Teheran (6-6). It was Davis' 10th career multihomer game, the third this season.

Ubaldo Jimenez shook off a miserable start to pitch seven innings for the Orioles, who will seek to complete a three-game sweep on Wednesday night. Baltimore's four-game winning streak follows a 5-15 skid.

''I think there's a sense of urgency in here to go now,'' Davis said.

Who's to say Baltimore can't win as is?

''We know it's going to be a challenge,'' manager Buck Showalter said. ''But we're competing, we're engaged and our guys will be as good as they're capable of being. I have a lot of confidence in that.''

Jimenez (8-6) didn't allow a hit after the first inning and retired 18 of the final 20 batters he faced. The right-hander gave up two runs, four hits and three walks to end a run of three successive defeats.

Freddie Freeman homered for the Braves (46-54), who have lost 12 of 16 to fall a season-high eight games under .500.

Atlanta broke to an early lead before losing on the road for the ninth time in 10 games. Nick Markakis singled on the game's first pitch and with one out Freeman hit his first home run since June 13.

The Braves then loaded the bases before Chris Johnson hit a routine fly to center.

''The first inning I was leading with my front shoulder a little bit,'' Jimenez said. ''It was way too open and the next inning I was able to get it better.''

Baltimore batted around in the bottom half, the big blow a drive to center by Davis following a single and a walk.

Davis made it 5-2 in the second with his 24th homer after Adam Jones hit a two-out single.

Teheran settled down after that but lasted only four innings. He allowed five runs, five hits and four walks.

''Really, the only guy that hurt him was Davis,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Ross Detwiler entered in the fifth and gave up an RBI single to Caleb Joseph. One inning later, Jones doubled in an unearned run to chase Detwiler.

Jimenez, meanwhile, allowed just one walk over his final three innings. He's 6-1 with a 2.13 ERA in eight home starts this season.

After Jimenez departed, Jace Peterson hit an RBI single in the Atlanta eighth.

STREAK BUSTERS

Braves: Teheran's abbreviated outing ended a run of three consecutive games in which Atlanta's starter completed at least seven innings.

Orioles: Manny Machado, Travis Snider and Ryan Flaherty entered the game a collective 0 for 42. Machado and Snider had hits, but Flaherty extended his skid to 0 for 19.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Braves: Atlanta placed LHP Manny Banuelos on the 15-day DL with elbow inflammation. He was slated to start Wednesday.

Orioles: 1B/OF Steve Pearce (strained oblique) won't be coming off the DL when eligible on Aug. 3, Showalter said. The challenge is to be sure Pearce is completely healthy before testing the injury.

UP NEXT

Braves: Mike Foltynewicz (3-2, 5.27 ERA) will be recalled from the minors to pitch Wednesday night. David Carpenter, who replaced Banuelos on Tuesday, will be designated for assignment.

Orioles: Unbeaten since May 31, Chris Tillman (7-7, 4.71) brings a five-game winning streak into the series finale.