Andruw Jones got quite a workout at Texas Rangers camp Friday.
Jones went 2-for-4 with a walk in Texas' 8-7 loss to Kansas City, a game that started less than an hour after the five-time All-Star and non-roster outfielder went 3-for-5 with a home run in a "B" game against the Royals on a back field.
"Trying to get some good rhythm going, and today was a good day. I had a couple of good solid contacts," Jones said. "Everything paid off in a good way."
Mario Lisson had a pair of RBI singles for Kansas City in the Cactus League game, including the game-winner in the bottom of the ninth off minor leaguer Andrew Laughter.
Brandon Boggs, one of the outfielders who could end up back in the minors if Jones makes the team, went 3-for-5 with three RBIs for the Rangers. Boggs' RBI double in the eighth scored Jones to snap a 4-all tie before John Whittleman's two-run homer.
Because the "B" game stats don't count, Jones is still hitting only .222 (4-for-18) with four singles and no RBIs in spring training. He batted in every inning of the "B" game and played the entire afternoon game in center field, where he was a 10-time Gold Glove winner for Atlanta from 1998-07.
"He looked better up there today, period. In the `B' game and the `A' game," manager Ron Washington said. "His timing was good, he swung the bat better. I think it can do a lot for him. That's what we're trying to do, is build his confidence. It was nice to see him have a good day."
Sports Connection
Connecting you to your favorite North Texas sports teams as well as sports news around the globe.
Jones was released in January by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who owed him a $15 million salary this year from the $36.2 million, two-year deal he signed before last season, when he was plagued by injuries and hit .158 with three homers.
With an already-crowded outfield anchored by All-Star center fielder Josh Hamilton, Jones has had to wait for his opportunities to play this spring. Hamilton was one of several Texas regulars who got a day off, so Jones got to play a full game after the extended morning workout.
"Whatever it takes to get some swings in," Jones said. "I think it boosts my confidence up. A lot of stuff was just mentally, trying to get bad habits out of you."
