Chris Davis in Bowie: "It's exciting to be in the lineup, no matter where it is" (Davis singles)

BOWIE, Md. - Chris Davis arrived in Bowie a little after 4 p.m. today. There was no on-field batting practice, so he took some swings in the cage and took a few ground balls on the field.

Now it's almost time for him to play a rehab game at 6:35 p.m., one that could soon lead him back to the lineup in Baltimore. Davis has been on the disabled list since April 27 with a left oblique strain.

Will this will be a one-night appearance in Bowie? He's able to come off the DL on Sunday.

"I don't know yet," Davis said a few minutes ago outside the Baysox clubhouse. "A lot of that is up to Buck (Showalter). Too many things in front of us right now to say that. All along, I've been hopeful I could make it the first day, but you also have to be realistic.

"If I feel any discomfort, or if they even want me to come back and just see how it feels tomorrow, there is a chance I could be back here.

"I'd like to play all nine. Play first. Get back into the swing of things. Anxious to see how I feel in a game-like situation."

Is Davis more in need of a test in the field or at bat?

"I think it is a little bit of everything," Davis said. "I definitely want to see how it feels to be in the field. I felt pretty good taking ground balls, throwing to bases, moving around, stretching out for the ball up the line. That was something that I was interested to see how it went.

"I think really the biggest test is going to be in between at-bats. Not being able to heat up and jump out of the hot tub and being stretched and all that kind of stuff. I think that is the biggest thing, having the breaks between innings.

"I'm ready. It's been hard to sit back and watch and not do anything. It's exciting to be in the lineup, no matter where it is."

There is a slim chance of rain tonight in Bowie, but Davis said he anticipates playing in the field and not just serving as the DH.

"I think so. To be honest with you, unless it's pouring or ridiculously muddy, I plan on playing first. I know I'm probably not going to be DHing in Baltimore. I'd rather do that. I think it will be easier to go offense and defense as opposed to just sitting there between at-bats."

Even though he is now a major league star - one that hit 53 homers last season - it hasn't been that long since Davis played in Double-A. He knows tonight is not only special for the Bowie fans that will come here to see him but for the Baysox players to have him for a teammate, if maybe only for one night.

"I definitely remember what it's like and being in the Texas organization and seeing guys rehab," he said. "It's cool to be around them and pick their brain and see how they go about their work. Baseball is fun wherever you are at. I know these guys are doing well. A lot of these guys in here are on their way. I hope I can teach them something positive."

Here is tonight's Baysox lineup:

SS Sharlon Schoop
1B Chris Davis
RF Chih-Hsien Chiang
CF Dariel Alvarez
3B Niuman Romero
DH K.D. Kang
2B David Adams
LF Garabez Rosa
C David Freitas

LHP Anthony Vasquez

Davis' first at-bat: The shift was on for Davis when he batted in the last of the first. New Britain second baseman Tony Thomas was playing about 20 feet into short right field and Davis hit a looper right to him for the second out of the inning.

Davis fouled off several pitches against right-hander Virgil Vasquez before he was retired on the seventh pitch of that at-bat. It's 0-0 at Bowie after one inning.

Davis now 0-for-2: It's been home run derby tonight here at Prince George's Stadium, but so far, Davis hasn't hit one.

In his second at-bat, leading off the third inning, he struck out swinging on a 1-2 pitch and is 0-for-2 so far.

New Britain leads Bowie 6-4 in a game that has already seen five homers hit. Former Baysox Brandon Waring hit a three-run shot for New Britain, one of three they've hit tonight. Bowie has gotten a three-run homer from David Freitas and a solo shot from Chih-Hsien Chiang.

No hit this time either: Davis struck out swinging at a 2-2 pitch in the last of the fifth and is now 0-for-3 on the night. The Baysox are trailing 7-4. Saving some hits for Baltimore?

Davis gets a hit: Davis will not go 0-fer tonight at Bowie. Down 0-2 on the count, he lined a single into right field against lefty Jim Fuller in the last of the eighth and is 1-for-4. Davis just scored on a Dariel Alvarez two-run homer as Bowie now trails 7-6.

Tonight's attendance in Bowie is 8,620 which is the second best of the year.The Baysox have allowed a season high 16 hits tonight.

It's a final: New Britain holds off Bowie and wins it 7-6 as the Baysox fall to 18-17 for the season.

So Davis did not bat again after his single in the eighth and finished 1-for-4 with two strikeouts and a run scored. Will this be his only game in Bowie?