SEATTLE -- It wasn't exactly the best first impression for lefty Tucker Davidson, who made his Angels debut on Sunday against the Mariners.

Davidson, acquired in the trade that sent closer Raisel Iglesias to the Braves on Tuesday, gave up six runs over four-plus innings in a 6-3 loss in the series finale at T-Mobile Park. He struggled with his control, walking five, and also gave up six hits, including a grand slam to Jesse Winker in the third.

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"He showed some flashes of some stuff we had heard about,” said interim manager Phil Nevin. “The fastball was good and had some rise on it. Threw a lot of sliders and he has a good one. Didn't throw any changeups. But I can understand being a little nervous pitching for a new team. I think he'll calm down his next outing and mix in his pitches a little better."

Davidson, 26, had been pitching with Triple-A Gwinnett prior to the trade, making his last start on July 31. He had a 4.59 ERA with 96 strikeouts, 24 walks and 14 homers allowed in 80 1/3 innings at Triple-A this season. Davidson also made a relief appearance with the Braves on April 11 and three starts in May, posting a combined 6.46 ERA with 10 strikeouts and 13 walks in 15 1/3 innings.

Davidson has clearly had trouble with his control this year, but he still has potential, as he is ranked as the club’s No. 11 prospect by MLB Pipeline. He also fared better in four starts with the Braves last year, recording a 3.60 ERA with 18 strikeouts and eight walks in 20 innings. He also started Game 5 of the World Series against the Astros last season.

“If you look at my walk rate in Triple-A, it’s the lowest of my career,” Davidson said. “I just have to translate it up here. Maybe not be so fine and trust my stuff. More of a ‘here it is, hit it,’ and then good things will happen. I think the big thing is getting ahead with strike one and putting the throttle down when I can.”

His command issues were evident early, as he walked the first batter he faced before walking Mitch Haniger with one out. It proved costly with Eugenio Suárez bringing home the game's first run on an RBI double.

Davidson got through a clean second frame, but then allowed back-to-back singles to Ty France and Haniger in the third before walking Suárez to load the bases. After falling behind with a 2-0 count, Winker made Davidson pay with a grand slam down the right-field line coming on a 91.6 mph fastball down in the zone.

“It threw it right down the middle and he put a good swing on it, just fair by a couple inches,” Davidson said. “It’s one of those things where if it’s a couple inches to the right, it’s a different game. But I have to get ahead of him there because he’s a good hitter.”

With the bullpen depleted after Saturday’s doubleheader, Davidson remained in the game. He got out of the inning despite another walk and came back out for the fifth, as the Angels needed some length. But after Davidson gave up a single to Suárez and walked Winker, he was removed after having thrown 91 pitches. Reliever Jimmy Herget replaced Davidson and allowed an inherited runner to score on an RBI double from Sam Haggerty with Winker getting thrown out at home to end the inning.

It wasn't all bad for Davidson, who at least showed some swing-and-miss stuff despite striking out only Jarred Kelenic in the second. He registered a respectable eight swings-and-misses, including four with his slider, three with his fastball and one with his curveball.

"I think there were a lot of positives and negatives to take away," Davidson said. "Starting for a new team, just getting used to that. The walks, I need to get better at that. But I thought I competed well and threw some good pitches at times and didn't throw some good pitches at times. But I think finding command of the slider is key."

Nevin said they saw enough from Davidson that he’s expected to remain in the rotation going forward, as they want to see him continue to develop after the trade.

“We traded for him for a reason,” Nevin said. “We like his arm, we like his stuff. We want to see him go again.”