Davis to start Bucs' twin bill batting second

BALTIMORE -- Ike Davis will find himself in a new spot in the Pirates' lineup on Thursday -- batting second.

Manager Clint Hurdle is putting Davis in the No. 2 spot, a place at which Davis has never started in his career.

"I like the on-base [ability]; he'll take a walk, [and] he can drive a runner in from first," Hurdle said. "I like the way the lineup sets up. It's about a guy that can drive in a run from first base and a guy that can get on base in front of [Andrew] McCutchen."

Davis is in an 0-for-16 slump, but he said he was looking forward to the challenges of batting second.

"I get on base, so the two-hole is usually about getting on base for Cutch and the four-hole hitter," Davis said. "I don't think it's that big of a deal. I'm excited. It means I get to come up more."