Davis first September HR lifts Orioles past Mariners 2-1

BALTIMORE (AP) — For one brief moment, the Chris Davis of years ago made an appearance at Camden Yards.

Sweet stroke, long ball, slow home run trot. It was all there for Davis, who savored an uplifting moment in an otherwise dreary season.

Davis hit a tiebreaking homer in the seventh inning, a blast from the past that carried Baltimore past the Seattle Mariners 2-1 Sunday in the Orioles’ final home game of the season.

A two-time major league home run champ, the 33-year-old Davis is struggling through a third straight subpar season. Making matters more difficult is that he has three years left on a $161 million contract.

Davis came in batting .174 with 10 home runs and 34 RBIs and has heard more than his share of jeers from the home fans. On this occasion, however, he brought the crowd to its feet by driving a sinker from lefty Marco Gonzales (16-12) over the right-field wall for a 2-1 lead.