MLB PLAYER NEWS

Tulowitzki, Donaldson thriving atop Blue Jays lineup

The Sports Xchange

August 05, 2015 at 3:51 am.

Aug 4, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) celebrate a 3-1 win over Minnesota Twins at Rogers Centre. Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 4, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) celebrate a 3-1 win over Minnesota Twins at Rogers Centre. Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

TORONTO — The Odd Couple came through for the Blue Jays again on Tuesday.

They are different personalities off the field but they have a similar drive when they are playing and they bat first and second in the highest-scoring lineup in the majors.

Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who joined the Blue Jays in a trade with the Colorado Rockies last week, has been batting leadoff, unfamiliar territory for someone who often batted cleanup with his former team.

Batting second is third baseman Josh Donaldson, the outgoing one of the pair.

Each hit a home run on Tuesday in the 3-1 win over the Minnesota Twins. Donaldson hit his 28th of the season in the first inning and Tulowitzki hit his 14th of the season — and second with the Blue Jays — in the third.

“The similarities are on the baseball field,” Tulowitzki said when asked to compare himself with Donaldson. “We’re two different people. Outside of the field, he’s outgoing, outspoken at times. He has a lot of fun. Not that I don’t but I’m more of a serious guy. On the field are some similarities. Guys that compete. Guys that grind out at-bats. Guys that probably put winning first. Guys that hopefully make a difference when they’re on a team.”

He was asked what he has seen in Donaldson as a teammate. “No lack of confidence,” he said. “It’s been fun. It’s been about a week here. Josh is definitely fun to be around, someone I’ve admired from the other side. Getting a chance to play with him is special. Hopefully it’s for a long time.”

Tulowitzki comes to the Blue Jays amid rising enthusiasm for the team as it makes a push for a playoff spot. He is part of the reason for the optimism and left-hander David Price, also acquired last week, is another big reason.

“I didn’t know much about this organization,” Tulowitzki said. “I knew this country loves its baseball team. We have something here, a good team to root for, so that makes it fun. It is a good team. It’s an awesome place to play, especially coming down the stretch run.”

It says something about the quality of the offense that it can have Tulowitzki batting leadoff.

“It makes my job easier when I don’t have to try to do too much. I’m not THE guy in the lineup,” he said. “There’s a lot of guys who can come through and hit home runs at any point in time. I really haven’t had that in my career. Played with good players, not this many of them.”

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