It was only one game, but center fielder Adam Jones showed reason to believe the hype surrounding his second big league season.
Jones, 23, was on base in every plate appearance in Monday's opening game, scoring three times and driving in two runs as the Orioles beat the Yankees 10-5. Jones, leadoff man Brian Roberts and No. 3 hitter Nick Markakis combined to go 8-for-11 to pace the 14-hit attack. After batting .270 with nine home runs in his first full season in the majors, Jones put on roughly 15 pounds of muscle in the winter while working out at Athletes' Performance in Arizona. But his physical strength wasn't the only offseason improvement. Manager Dave Trembley suggested Jones is more patient at the plate, and the right-handed hitter feels more comfortable going to right field, as he did with his two-run triple in the third inning Monday.
"It's the ability to recognize pitches and not chase pitches out of the strike zone," Trembley said. "That's what he showed today. He didn't chase pitches out of the strike zone, and he's not reluctant to go deep in the count."
Jones credits his defensive improvements to one-on-one sessions with first base coach John Shelby, a former Orioles outfielder. He said Monday night the young Orioles outfield -- including left fielder Felix Pie and Gold Glove-caliber right fielder Nick Markakis -- shouldn't allow a single triple in 2009.
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