Ike gets two hits, scores twice in Pirates debut

PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates acquired left-handed-hitting first baseman Ike Davis from the New York Mets on Friday night in a trade for Minor League reliever Zack Thornton and a player to be named, and Davis went 2-for-3 with two runs scored while batting sixth in an 8-7 loss to the Brewers on Saturday night.

"I hit the ball decent tonight," Davis said. "Always try to get a walk and a knock in a game -- that's the goal. We just fell a little short tonight, but I feel like we came back pretty well there, and [Jason] Grilli is going to shut it down more times than not.

"You always want to get off to a good start, especially in a new environment and new fans and stuff like that and new teammates. It was nice to get a couple hits and get on base a couple times."

Davis had lost the starting first baseman's job in New York to Lucas Duda in recent days.

"I'm excited obviously to play," Davis said. "I haven't been playing, but it's weird leaving the only place I've ever been. That's the weird part, especially leaving the guys that you've been with, some of them, seven years. That was the only tough part. I'm excited, I know a couple of the guys on the team already."

The Pirates are hopeful Davis can regain his form of two years ago, when he hit 32 home runs and had 90 RBIs. Last year, he batted just .205 with nine homers in 103 games before his season ended on Aug. 31 with a right oblique strain. A change of scenery might be good for Davis.

"Obviously, it can't hurt," Davis said. "It was pretty negative over there for a little while, and if I can come here and create some positive energy, then start building forward and start playing better."

"I spent five minutes with him, I didn't want to overload him," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "I told him we'll catch up as we go along. I just welcomed him. We believe he's going to add value to our club. I reinforced the fact that he doesn't need to carry our club. We've got a great group of men out there that are ready to embrace him, work with him, challenge him and encourage him."

To make room for Davis on the roster, the Pirates designated first baseman Travis Ishikawa for assignment.