Clubhouse quotes from Chris Davis, Bud Norris and Brad Brach after win over Yankees

Chris Davis began tonight 1-for-12 with eight strikeouts over his last three games.

But tonight, while he did strike out three more times, he added an RBI single and two-run double in the Orioles' 7-5 win over the Yankees.

"It's the ninth game of the year. Still early, still trying to feel some things out," Davis said. "Better at-bats tonight. Saw the ball a lot better. Swung at pitches in the strike zone, that usually helps. It'd be nice to get off to an Adam Jones start every year, but sometimes that's just not the case."

A reporter mentioned that his double went to the opposite field.

"I must be locked in," Davis said. "I went opposite field the other night and then proceeded to strike out in like 17 out of 18 at bats, so just trying to hit the pitch where it was. Tough lefty throwing hard, pretty much everything he threw was away from me. There is something to be said about going away. Staying on the ball a little longer, but I don't think it's as easy as just hitting the ball away and everything is locked in. That would be really nice.

"It feels good (to contribute). When you are DHing, it is tough when you don't swing the bat (well) because you don't get the defensive side. Obviously, after that ball hit off my glove the other night, pretty much felt like I wore that on the chin for the team. It was nice to come back and be a contributing factor in the lineup."

Davis was asked about his high strikeout total. He has fanned 11 times in the last four games and 15 times in 31 at-bats for the season.

"That is just one of the things, it kind of goes with the power," he said. "When you are seeing the ball well and swinging at good pitches, you are hitting the ball. When you are not, you are swinging and missing. And that is notoriously how I've been my whole career.

"Early on, it gets a little bit more exposed because people are trying to see what this year is going to be like. Love to make productive outs, it's not like I am going up there trying to strikeout, but sometimes you're overmatched."

After giving up eight runs in his first start, Bud Norris felt he made some progress tonight. He did not get the decision, allowing five hits and three runs over five innings.

"Really trying to get comfortable," Norris said after his 98-pitch outing. "Trying to get out there and really figure this thing out again. It's a whole new year. Some carries over, some doesn't from last year. Going to keep working on my mechanics and find my arm slot. Lot of good things I can take from that and keep building on it.

"(This was) a lot better than the first one. Getting in a groove. Worked really well with Caleb (Joseph) tonight. Fastball location was a lot better. Slider was a little bit better today, too. Couple of mistakes, but nothing too big. Felt a lot better, like I said, command the strike zone and trying to find my stride."

After the Orioles let a lead and a game get away on Monday night, they did come back to take the final two games of this series.

"It's very important. You have to win a lot of close games," Norris said. "We did it last year and that was what propelled us into the postseason. We never hang our heads in this clubhouse. Just come back the next day and play hard. It's a big series win and that was a big sixth inning for us. Offense was great."

Brad Brach had a 9.64 ERA in his first four appearances. But tonight he pitched two scoreless innings on 25 pitches to get the win.

"I had a little bit extra on the fastball tonight," Brach said. "It was the first time really all year I had a little extra on it. Was able to get some strikes ahead in the count and when hitters are behind like that, it makes my stuff a little better."