MILWAUKEE -- Brewers starter Zach Davies, activated off the 10-day disabled list earlier Thursday, escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning against the New York Mets at Miller Park when he knocked down a scorching comebacker off the bat of Devin Mesoraco.
"It saved the inning," Davies said after the Brewers' 5-0 loss. "Not sure how the defense was behind me or if it would have gotten through with the shift, but once I knew where I gloved the ball I hoped I wasn't too far that I could make a play, and I was close enough and the runner wasn't fast enough that I had a chance."
Brandon Nimmo -- who had four hits -- doubled to open the frame and Wilmer Flores drew a one-out walk. Nimmo was forced out at third on Jay Bruce's fielder's choice, but Michael Conforto then walked to load the bases. Mesoraco ripped an 0-2 pitch back through the box, but Davies got his glove up in time and then recovered to get Mesoraco at first to end the inning.
"It was a very nice play," manager Craig Counsell said. "It was just a reaction. He made a good play and had the wherewithal to kind of stay calm and still make the play, even though it looked like a line drive probably right at his head."
Davies, who went on the DL on April 30 with right rotator cuff inflammation, struggled with his command in a 24-pitch first inning. He allowed four runs on six hits over four-plus innings.

"The command wasn't there pretty much all night. I got away with it the first four innings, but in the fifth inning I gave up three straight hits, and it turned my night into a not-so-good night," he said. "Something to work on, but now it's no excuses. You're back in game action, and it'll change going forward."