ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.—Darwin Barney had bunting on the brain when he stepped up to the plate in the seventh inning of the Toronto Blue Jays’ first game against the Tampa Bay Rays here on Thursday. Martin was already halfway home by the time Morrison committed the error; he understood Barney’s thinking, and scored Toronto’s fifth run of the night in the Blue Jays’ first win of the season. Slotting into the lineup with ease like he did on Thursday night is exactly how Barney likes his role in this veteran Toronto team to play out. He was also comfortable with Toronto’s start to the season, despite two defeats in the Blue Jays’ first three. And while the Blue Jays’ biggest bats search for their rhythm, he’s confident in cover the bottom of the order can provide.

Source: thestar April 07, 2017 23:37 UTC