ORLANDO, Fla. -- If JaCoby Jones wanted to encapsulate his case to be the Detroit Tigers' regular center fielder, Thursday's game offered a perfect platform.
He hit a home run on the first pitch he saw. Later, he worked his way to a tough walk by taking, and fouling off, several pitches. In between, he singled sharply.
On the base paths, Jones stole two bases. In the field, he covered enough ground to make a seemingly impossible play look almost easy.
"I don't get too excited about one at-bat. I get excited about trends," said manager Brad Ausmus said after the game.