DETROIT -- During outfielder Rajai Davis’ first at-bat Monday, he felt some pain in his stomach that caused him to reflexively grab at his abdomen. That prompted both manager Brad Ausmus and trainer Kevin Rand out of the dugout. The three men consulted, Davis took a practice swing, and ultimately returned to the batter’s box.
Even afterward, Davis still was struggling to figure out what the problem was, finally settling on this description:
“It kind of felt like my bones were rubbing against each other ... internally.”
Ausmus was assured it was nothing too ominous, nothing muscular. He ventured a different guess.
“He might have had gas, I guess.”
Whatever it was, it certainly did not prevent Davis from having a banner day at the plate, as the 34-year-old smashed a two-run shot in his next appearance to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead in the third inning.
And he didn’t finish there. Davis recorded another home run -- a solo shot -- for an inspired offensive performance that led the Tigers to a 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Comerica Park.
It was only Davis’ second career multihomer game, with his last coming on May 18, 2012.
“I did realize it was quite a while ago,” Davis said. “Just thankful I was able to help us out today and get the win.”
Davis’ production was welcome after the Tigers were shut out by Cody Anderson and the Cleveland Indians in a 4-0 loss on Sunday. The offense turned out to be vital considering the Rays rallied to erase two-run deficits twice in the game. The bullpen also played a critical role, as Drew VerHagen, Al Alburquerque, Alex Wilson, Blaine Hardy and Bruce Rondon combined to pitch 4 2/3 scoreless innings.
Davis said he lobbied both Ausmus and Rand to stay in the game, telling them it wasn’t too serious. This should come as no shock, especially considering Davis played with an injured middle finger for a month before anyone on the Tigers staff even knew about it.
“[You] get that opportunity, you like to be able to stay in there,” Davis said.
This is the time of year where, for a team that is pretty firmly removed from playoff contention, there could be the temptation to take some shortcuts. But Ausmus has been happy with the compete level from his team -- in fighting through injuries, making the maximum effort, showing a dedication and professionalism that may belie the club’s place in the standings.
“100 per cent, yeah,” Ausmus said. “These guys have not stopped working.”
It was this sort of resilience that helped the team during some tense moments in the ninth, when Rondon had to pitch out of a bases-loaded jam that ended with a superb defensive play by Ian Kinsler at second base to seal the victory.
“He saved the day for real,” shortstop Dixon Machado said of the play, with Logan Forsythe grounding into the force out.
The play took both precision and hustle. And the Tigers want everyone to know that they will continue to see that sort of effort, regardless of the team’s postseason chances.
“It’s been a tough year. That’s an obvious statement, so the fact that the guys come out and fight every day, that’s a good sign moving forward,” said catcher James McCann, who hit his own two-run shot in the fourth inning. “It’s still something we love to do. We love to play the game, so coming out and fighting -- no one’s going to lay over.”