BALTIMORE – Chris Davis is nearing a record streak for futility.
The Orioles first baseman was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Sunday's 15-3 loss to the Yankees. He is 0-for-23 with 13 strikeouts this season and is hitless in 44 at-bats since a second-inning double last Sept. 14.
Davis is two shy of the record for consecutive hitless at-bats by a position player, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Eugenio Velez went hitless in his final 46 at-bats of the 2011 season, one more than the previous mark shared by Pittsburgh's Bill Bergen (1909), Dave Campbell of San Diego and St. Louis (1973) and Milwaukee's Craig Counsell (earlier in 2011).
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has tried to stay positive with Davis, who is in the fourth season of a $161 million, seven-year contract. He is due $23 million each season through 2022.
"I hope that he feels like he's making progress," Hyde said. "He took a couple decent passes on those fly balls. Just didn't happen."
Davis hit .168 last year, the worst batting average in major league history for a qualified player. He has been booed after strikeouts at Camden Yards.
"I understand the frustration," he said after Thursday's home opener. "Nobody's more frustrated than I am."
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