Blue Jays' bats make presence felt in finale

BALTIMORE -- The Blue Jays got great pitching in the first two games of their series against the O's, but were waiting for their bats to awaken. They did so in a big way on Sunday.

Toronto entered Sunday's series finale batting only .209 as a team, next-to-last in the American League, ahead only of Houston and its anemic .189 average.

The Blue Jays won on Friday, despite only a three-hit effort. They got seven hits on Saturday, but Orioles starter Bud Norris made good pitches at the right times during his seven scoreless innings.

"We're not swinging the bats yet, but he pitched pretty [darn] good," said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons.

The offense gave the Blue Jays four runs or fewer in 10 of the first 12 games. Improvement there would help a pitching staff that's been up to the task much of the time.

If Sunday was any indication, Toronto's bats may be set to awaken from an early season slumber. The Blue Jays pounded out 17 hits in Sunday's 11-3 win over the Orioles. The effort included homers by Jose Bautista, Brett Lawrie and Colby Rasmus.