Davis’ Slump Something to Sneeze and Cough At

Chili Davis finally had reason to feel encouraged Thursday, but not just because the struggling designated hitter had a bases-empty home run and a single against Seattle Mariner ace Randy Johnson to help the Angels to an 11-8 exhibition victory in Tempe Diablo Stadium.

“I only sneezed 50 times today rather than 150,” Davis said.

Davis’ allergies have been acting up this spring, but his bat certainly hasn’t. The 36-year-old switch-hitter was batting .171 (seven for 41) before Thursday’s game.

“My bats just feel heavy right now, and for whatever reason, I haven’t been concentrating well enough,” said Davis, who has also been slowed by stomach flu. “It seems like spring training gets longer and longer each year. I think a lot of guys are ready to start the season.”

Manager Marcel Lachemann isn’t concerned about Davis’ slow start, and neither is Davis, who reported to camp five days late. He hit better than .300 in each of the last two seasons and has a combined 46 home runs and 170 runs batted in, and he believes it’s only a matter of time before his swing comes around.

“I don’t think I’m going to stop hitting all of a sudden,” Davis said. “I just want to feel healthy and strong.”

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There is a growing sentiment among some in the organization to open the season with 24-year-old George Arias at third base, but Tim Wallach showed it might be too early to write off the old guy with achy calves. Wallach, 38, had a double and an RBI single off Johnson and legged out a triple.

“Offensively, I feel fine,” said Wallach, who is batting .400. “And defensively I know I’m going to be better than I was earlier this spring. I’m just starting to feel like I can move like I know I can.”

Third baseman Jack Howell, who strained his left groin Monday, will be sidelined for at least another week, which will greatly reduce his chances of making the opening-day roster.