The Toronto Blue Jays have gotten a major spark from Brett Bateman since joining the team, and even Ernie Clement is finding inspiration.
Clement has been using Bateman’s bat, and said after Friday’s big win over the Kansas City Royals that he’s trying to emulate the Korean slugger. Clement went 2-for-5 in the win, driving in two runs as part of a four-run first inning that set the tone for the game.
Ernie Clement Shares Praise for Brett Bateman
Speaking to Sportsnet after the 9-2 win on Friday, Clement was asked whether using Bateman’s bat at the plate was key to his offensive outburst.
“That’s really it,” Clement said. “What a great player, he’s been an awesome addition at the top of our order, and I’m just trying to be Brett Bateman at this point.”
Clement said the team’s strong hitting was on display in the first inning, when they jumped on starter Daniel Lynch IV for four runs.
“We’re being aggressive, we’re swinging at good pitchers and being the attacker here lately,” he said.
The Blue Jays called up Bateman nearly a month ago, and the 24-year-old has hit .330 and already has the sixth-highest WAR on the team, blogTO noted.
Clement isn’t the only Blue Jays teammate sharing praise for Bateman’s impact. Outfielder Nathan Lukes said the rookie has been a perfect leadoff hitter.
“That kid, he’s special, very special,” Lukes told Sportsnet.
“There’s a reason why he’s our leadoff hitter. He gets on base and does all the small things right,” Lukes added. “I love playing next to him.”
Manager John Schneider added that he sees star potential in Bateman.
“You never know when you’ll find a dude. It’s whatever handful of games, but he has the potential,” Schneider said.
Blue Jays Back to .500 After Big Win
Friday’s win brought the Blue Jays back to .500 for the first time since June 22, when the team went on a six-game losing streak. They are one game back of the final wild-card spot in the American League and have won seven out of their last 10 games.
Schneider said he delivered a message to the team just before the Aug. 3 trade deadline, saying they didn’t plan a fire sale and still believed they could get back into the playoff race.
“Saying that was important every day, and the guys believing that and then going out and playing the way they’ve been playing, that was kind of what we tried to do, both transactionally and communicating,” Schneider said, via Sportsnet.
Blue Jays’ Ernie Clement Makes Statement on Brett Bateman After Key Win