While on the disabled list, Adam Jones became infamous for his eagerness to get back onto the playing field.
His enthusiasm was quite obvious during his debut at bat since returning from the disabled list Monday. Jones homered on the first pitch he saw, driving a Paul Byrd offering over the Green Monster seats at Fenway Park, giving the Orioles a 1-0 advantage in the eventual 7-4 loss. "Special ones can do that," manager Dave Trembley said. "We like to think that he's going to be something real special for us in years to come. To his credit, he worked real hard. It was a great way to get started."
The 22-year-old tested Trembley's patience while on the disabled list, repeatedly visiting the manager's office to find out when he could resume his first full major league season.
There were some who felt Jones might be finished for the year after fouling a pitch off his left foot on Aug. 3. The fractured foot had Jones on crutches and in a walking boot at first, but he recovered quicker than the original six-week diagnosis.
Jones' eighth home run proved he's ready to pick up where he left off. Before the injury, Jones had reached base safely in 28 of 31 games, batting .329 in that stretch.
RED SOX 7, ORIOLES 4: The Orioles walked ten batters, and Boston opened the three-game series by handing Baltimore its 11th loss in the last 13 games. The Red Sox hit three home runs, including back-to-back homers in the second inning.
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