Davis dials long distance with pink bat (Jones does, too)

MINNEAPOLIS - The Orioles scored three runs in the first inning last night. They scored two in the first inning today, and those runs came off the pink bat of first baseman Chris Davis. Davis hit the batter's eye in center field with a two-run shot off Twins left-hander Scott Diamond that traveled an estimated 442 feet and gave the Orioles a 2-0 lead. Players are wearing pink spikes and arm bands today to symbolize the fight against breast cancer. A few of them are using pink bats, including Davis, who previously hit 10 home runs with his standard model. Nick Markakis and Manny Machado singled to open the inning. Machado has seven hits in the series, and he's hit safely in 11 of the last 12 road games. Adam Jones grounded into a double play, but Davis assaulted an 82 mph curveball. Yes, he supplied all the power. Exactly one year ago today, the Orioles acquired Mike Belfiore from the Arizona Diamondbacks for third baseman Josh Bell, who was recently released by the Chicago White Sox organization. Now Belfiore is wearing No. 65 and sitting in the Orioles' bullpen after his first major league call up. Belfiore received the news late last night from Triple-A Norfolk manager Ron Johnson and grabbed a flight from Syracuse. "They said they needed an extra guy in the 'pen and I'm that guy. It's a thrill," he said. "Being in Norfolk and looking back at least year, we understood that a lot of guys move up and down and there's a lot of opportunities here, but it's not something we necessarily focus on. We go about our business every day and do what we have to do in Norfolk to get here." Belfiore pitched two days ago in Syracuse and only worked two-thirds of an inning because of rain. He's available to work multiple innings today, which is why he's at Target Field. Belfiore's first phone call last night went to his father, Mike. "Of course. There wasn't a question," Belfiore said. "He's been by my side all the way up since Little League, so it was an easy choice." Belfiore's parents flew here this morning from Long Island. RIP Toni Linhart. I'll never forget his field goal in the "fog" game at Memorial Stadium that beat the Miami Dolphins in 1975. Instant update: Chris Snyder, starting behind the plate today, threw out Brian Dozier trying to steal in the first inning and delivered an RBI single in the second. Orioles 3, Twins 0. Snyder was thrown out at the plate on Nick Markakis' double to center field. Update II: Jones, also swinging a pink bat today, homered to left field in the third inning to increase the Orioles' lead to 4-0. The ball hit the railing and took a high hop into the seats. The Twins announced the estimated distances at 350 and 380 feet. Well played. Somewhere, Angel Hernandez is reviewing the home run and planning a reversal.