Detroit — During the nightcap of a very chilly doubleheader on Wednesday, manager AJ Hinch sidled over to JaCoby Jones.
Jones, who lost his regular center fielder role earlier in the season, had gone 0-for-2 in the first game and was enduring a 1-for-21 skid with 10 strikeouts.
“'Is this any fun for you?’” Hinch said, recounting the story before the game Thursday. “'Is baseball any fun for you at all?’ We had a nice laugh at that. …He’s a good game away from feeling better.”
The skipper was prophetic. With a game-tying home run and a spectacular running, crashing catch, Jones had a lot more fun on Thursday.