THE BIRD IS BACK

Greg Bird, who returned from the disabled list Saturday to make his season debut, connected on his first hit of 2018 in Sunday’s win, slapping a line-drive single to center in the second inning.

“That was a good one,” said Bird, who underwent ankle surgery to remove a bone spur in late March. “It’ll get easier. The first one’s always tough.”

Bird also drove in his first run of the season in the third inning, when he was hit by a pitch on the elbow with the bases loaded.

“I felt awesome today, and that’s honest,” Bird said. “I’m right where I need to be.”