Slumping Davis gets rare off-day

TORONTO -- Left fielder Rajai Davis received a rare day off on Sunday as he attempts to work through his recent struggles at the plate.

Davis entered play on Sunday mired in an 0-for-23 hitless stretch. That prompted manager John Farrell to leave him out of the staring lineup in order to get an additional day of rest prior to a six-game road trip.

"At times, he has chased some pitches," said Farrell, who inserted Ben Francisco into the starting lineup. "Prior to this recent stretch, when he has gotten pitches around the plate, he hasn't missed them. There have been a couple of at-bats of late where he has gotten his pitch and fouled it straight back or rolled into a double play.

"There are times where he has missed the pitch he has gotten, so he is due for a little bit of a break."

Davis took over the starting duties in left field during late May after Eric Thames was optioned to the Minor Leagues following a disappointing start to the year.

The 31-year-old Davis responded well and saw his average peak on June 24 at .282. The production has dropped during the recent skid and he is now batting .243 with four homers and 23 RBIs.