Arizona’s Davis is strong in return

ATLANTA -- Pitcher Doug Davis received more than the usual pats on the back after he was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning.

“I don’t think I remember shedding a tear, but I did give him a big hug,” Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder said. He wasn’t alone. It turned into a group hug in the dugout.

Davis was relaxed and in control in his first start following his return from cancer surgery, giving up one run in seven innings, and the inspired Diamondbacks scored five runs in the first inning, hit five homers and rolled to an 11-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.

“When you get five runs it takes a lot of pressure off,” Davis said.

“It felt great. It was kind of hard to control the emotions sometimes because I’m excited to be back and I’m anxious to throw my pitches and I got away on some of the pitches and walked a couple, but overall that was the only downside.”

Davis (2-1) had a cancerous thyroid gland removed on April 10.