Chris Davis talks about playing third base and batting second

With Manny Machado on the disabled list, Chris Davis moves over from first and gets the start at third base tonight. This will be Davis' third start this year at third base. The Orioles are 1-1 in the first two games. Davis made 17 starts for the Orioles at third in the 2011 season and has made 68 big league starts at the position. "I figured it was something that was probably going to be asked of me with Manny being out and J.J. being out. Kind of limited on options, I know we called up Cord (Phelps)," Davis said. "I've played there in the past quite a bit, obviously it's been a few years. Played there the other night, didn't have any balls hit to me. But I'm not going to replace Manny, I've said that before. He's the best there is over there. My job is to make the routine plays and swing the bat." In the minors, Davis actually played in more games at third base than first. "It's not easy switching the positions. You admire the guys like Flash (Ryan Flaherty) that can do it," Davis said. "But there is somewhat a comfortable feel since I've played there so much in the past. Just need to make the routine plays and not do anything out of the ordinary." Tonight Davis will bat second. He has never stated a big league game batting second, although he was in the lineup in that spot Monday when he replaced Machado in the fourth inning. "Probably have to bunt some more, hit and run, choke and poke," Davis joked about batting second. "Obviously the way we've been swinging the bats lately, just go out there and continue to do what we've been doing. Having solid bats at-bats, getting runners over, getting runners in. "We've done a lot of really good things lately that don't show up on the stat sheet. Moving guys over, getting guys in scoring position. Those are the things you have to do to be a playoff-caliber team." Davis was asked about the Orioles' ability to overcome adversity at times this year, which they have to do again with Machado out. "I think it says a lot. Earlier in the year we lost Wiety (Matt Wieters) and that was a big blow for us," Davis said. "We could have hung our heads and felt sorry for ourselves. "But we understand what we have here. This is a unique opportunity for us to do something here that hasn't been done in a long time. No one will feel sorry for us. "Everybody gets hit by the injury bug. We've had guys step up and we'll continue to have guys step and hopefully continue to win." And maybe even continue to pull away atop the American League East. Their four-game lead at the All-Star break is now 6 1/2 games, and the Orioles are 16-8 since the break. "No doubt. We are playing good ball now. We know where where we stand but we also know we have a lot of work left to do," Davis said. "We understand with every win we get that much closer."