BRADENTON, Fla. — Jose Bautista enjoyed his productive, 3-for-3 day at the plate Sunday in the Toronto Blue Jays’ 5-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

That it came against his old team made little difference.

“I just had a good day,” the third baseman said. “It’s nice to start getting that rhythm back and put some good swings on some balls.”

Last year’s major league home run champion doubled twice, scored two runs and drove in one.

Bautista was traded to the Blue Jays in August 2008 for backup catcher Robinzon Diaz. Last month he signed a five-year, $64 million extension after hitting 54 home runs in 2010.

Prior to that, he’d never hit more than 16 home runs in a year (2006). He’s also played for Baltimore, Tampa Bay and Kansas City, all in 2004.