D-Backs notebook: Davis appreciates Boston fans’ passion

MINNEAPOLIS - Doug Davis’ first Fenway Park experience stands to define the character of a rabid but right Red Sox Nation that many Diamondbacks will experience for the first time this week.

Twins hand D-Backs another sweep on road

While warming up before a start for Texas in 2000, Davis said the locals were all over him — “Right in your ear with a Boston accent,” he remembered.

As Davis walked off the field following a 6-2 Texas victory, however, he was given a standing ovation after the scoreboard informed fans it was Davis’ first career complete game.

“They are baseball fans. Their team is Boston, but they recognize when you do a good job,” Davis said.

The D-Backs today will begin their first series in Fenway since 2002, when they swept a three-game series. Boston took two of three from the D-Backs at Chase Field last season.

“It’s like playing in a museum,” manager Bob Melvin said.

Brandon Lyon was 4-6 with nine saves for Boston in 2003, his only season with the Red Sox.

“It’s like you are on the main stage, center court,” he said.

“It’s so fun to go there, home or on the road. Just the energy flowing in there. Pitch by pitch, they know their baseball. I remember countless times I’d go 2-0 to a hitter in a meaningless game and I’d be getting booed out there.

“They are passionate about their sports. They love their Red Sox.”

HUDSON STARTS AT DH

Gold Glover Orlando Hudson made his first career start at designated hitter Sunday, in part to give him a day off after fouling pitches off his foot each of the past two games, Melvin said.

Hamstring issues appear to linger, too, even after he sat out six games earlier in the season with a right hamstring strain.

“He can play with some pain,” Melvin said.

Technically, Hudson has been a DH once in his career — he hit a pinch-hit, three-run homer while batting for DH Scott Hairston in the eighth inning of a 7-3 victory in Baltimore on June 15, 2007, and while he didn’t bat again in the game, he was listed as a DH.

BYRNES EXPECTED BACK

The D-Backs are looking forward to Eric Byrnes’ return today, not only for his offense but also for his energy.

“He always brings a style of play that is contagious,” Melvin said. “He gives us that spirit that when you are struggling a bit, especially offensively, certainly helps.”

The D-Backs are 9-16 since Byrnes — the 11th player in history to have 20 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season when he did it last year — was placed on the disabled list May 27.

“We hope he is as productive as he’s been in the past,” Melvin said.

SHORT HOPS

Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald attended the games Friday and Sunday and exchanged handshakes and words with the D-Backs as they entered their clubhouse Sunday. “I was torn this week,” he said with a smile. Fitzgerald in a native of Minneapolis and still maintains a home here. …

Class A South Bend right-hander Dallas Buck gave up two hits in five innings of a 9-1 victory over West Michigan on Sunday, his first victory since undergoing Tommy John ligament replacement surgery last July. Buck, a third-round pick in 2006, was making his second start of the season. Reliever Daniel Stange, who had 17 saves last season before undergoing Tommy John surgery, also made his second appearance at South Bend on Sunday. … The D-Backs signed draft choices outfielder Patrick McAnaney (eighth round, Virginia) and outfielder Ollie Linton (13th round, Cal-Irvine) on Sunday.