ORIOLES NOTEBOOK
Alteration Has Jones In the Swing Of Things
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Thursday, May 22, 2008
NEW YORK, May 21 -- Baltimore Orioles Manager Dave Trembley said center fielder Adam Jones is more comfortable facing fastballs than breaking balls and off-speed pitches, a frequent trait of young hitters. Trembley said Jones had fallen into a common trap.
"Once they get the fastball to hit and don't hit it, they have a tendency to get somewhat frustrated and chase pitches," Trembley said.
But after his batting average dipped to .231, a recent change in approach has helped Jones rebound to a .265 mark. He is batting .382 over his past 10 games, including two doubles and a triple. His latest extra-base hit came in Tuesday's 12-2 win at New York, when his three-run double keyed a seven-run first inning for the Orioles. It was the first of a career-high four hits and four RBI.
"Go up there and get a good pitch to hit," Jones said. "If it's the first one, hit it. If it's not, just try to wait and get a good pitch to hit, don't go out of the zone. That's what I'm trying to do."
Aside from an improved ability to go the other way with pitches -- as he did on his big hit Tuesday -- Trembley said Jones has resisted the temptation to chase.
"I go through stretches, like every hitter, where I'm just swinging at BS, that's what we call it," the 22-year-old Jones said. "I'm trying to get a good pitch. If it's a slider or a change-up and it stays up there, I just try to put a good swing on it. . . .
"They have to throw a fastball at some point in time. If I can lay off that junk they are throwing me -- that's it. I've seen at-bats and looked at video where I got one strike and swung at three or four balls. If I lay off them, it's 3-1."
Trachsel Rejoins Rotation
After Trembley twice elected to skip right-hander Steve Trachsel, the veteran pitcher will rejoin the rotation Saturday at Tampa Bay. Trachsel is 2-4 with a 6.75 ERA, though he won his last outing when he allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings on May 9 against Kansas City.
"It's going to be interesting to see him pitch, to see how his command is and how his control is," Trembley said.
UP NEXT Tonight at Yankees7:05 p.m. Burres (4-4) vs. Kennedy (0-3) MASN Tomorrow at Rays7:10 p.m. Guthrie (2-4) vs. Garza (2-1) MASN2 UP NEXT Tonight at Yankees7:05 p.m. Burres (4-4) vs. Kennedy (0-3) MASN Tomorrow at Rays7:10 p.m. Guthrie (2-4) vs. Garza (2-1) MASN2
