Ernie Clement credits Brett Bateman for Blue Jays win over Kansas City

The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Kansas City Royals 9-2 on Friday. Ernie Clement drove in two runs during a four-run first inning that established an early lead against starting pitcher Daniel Lynch IV. Clement attributed his offensive performance to using the bat of teammate Brett Bateman, citing the recent arrival as a primary source of inspiration. Bateman, who joined the major league roster nearly one month ago, maintains a.330 batting average and has emerged as a key contributor to the Toronto lineup. The team has adopted an aggressive approach at the plate in recent games as they look to build momentum during the final stretch of the season.

• 6:02 AMYahoo Sports — Blue Jays’ Ernie Clement Makes Statement on Brett Bateman After Key Win