DETROIT: The best revenge is a game-winning home run.
Detroit Tigers outfielder JaCoby Jones, still aching after being hit in the helmet by a Kansas City Royals reliever Tuesday night, led the race Wednesday night.
Jones doubled up twice and hit a solo homer in the seventh inning to lead the Tigers to a 5-4 victory at Comerica Park.
“I had to give them back a little for doing that, so it felt good,” he said. “I’m just seeing the ball very well at the plate and I have to keep it and stay inside me. We just have to keep grinding. Although we’re down, our lineup is dangerous enough to come back and our bullpen is doing a great job. “
Jones has reason to be especially sensitive about it. He entered the disabled list after being hit by a jaw drop in Minnesota in 2017. In 2019, his season ended when he was hit by a wrist pitch against the Royals.
On Tuesday, Jones was hit by a 92 mph fastball from Kyle Zimmer in the extended earflap of his helmet, a piece of protection that was added after his horrific injury in Minnesota.
Nothing on the field was intentional, but Jones was still upset. Zimmer tried to apologize as he left the mound, but Jones only gave him a cursory acknowledgment.
“I was so angry that I didn’t speak to anyone for an hour,” said Jones. “I’m not that angry (now), but it sucks that they hit me on the head and take me all the time.” These are the guys who criticized me last year and broke my wrist. That is frustrating. Then, getting hit in the face yesterday, he just finished it off.
“I’m not too angry, it just sucks. It gives a little scary. When you throw up and hit someone in the helmet, it can be deadly and dangerous. It is what it is. I’m ok now. We have some Ws, so if we keep doing that, I will be happy. ”
Jones is 8-for-19 with three home runs in the young season. He also made a game-changing catch in center field during the opening weekend in Cincinnati.
“It was good,” said Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire. “He has a good short swing, he’s using the whole field, driving baseball and playing a dominant center field. It feels really good. We are having a good time. He’s having a good time. “
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