"He's got stupid pop, opposite-field pop," designated hitter Milton Bradley said. "He got that pitch and hit it out like it was nothing. Hopefully it's a sign of things to come."

Davis also made two sparkling plays in the field. The lone setback was that he struck out in his other three at-bats.

Davis, 22, is barely two years removed from being drafted in the fifth round out of Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas. He was called up after it became clear first baseman Hank Blalock was still going to be awhile in his recovery from carpal tunnel syndrome surgery. Davis got a pinch infield single in his first major league at-bat Thursday at Houston, but Friday was his first start.

Davis had hit a combined 23 homers at Class AA Frisco and Class AAA Oklahoma this year while batting .333.

Davis likely will sit out Saturday against Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels, but he is expected to start Sunday against left-hander Jamie Moyer. Rangers manager Ron Washington wants to protect him against some harder-throwing lefties early on in his major league career.

RANGERS 8, PHILLIES 7: After LHP Kason Gabbard faltered early, the Rangers bullpen allowed just three hits and a run over the final 5 2/3 innings Friday to help the team get back above .500 (41-40) at the season's statistical midpoint. Gabbard, who lost his spot in the rotation earlier this season because of command problems, allowed four hits and five walks in 3 1/3 innings and put the Rangers in a hole before RHPs Josh Rupe and Frank Francisco and LHP Eddie Guardado combined for 4 2/3 of no-hit relief. With the Rangers holding an 8-6 lead going to the ninth, LHP C.J. Wilson allowed three hits, including a solo homer, but still picked up his 17th save.