News
Jones exits early after running into wall
Outfielder OK, but Orioles erring on the side of caution
By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com
07/01/09 2:18 AM ET
BALTIMORE -- Adam Jones saw his athleticism work against him on Tuesday night, when he ran full-tilt attempting to chase down Kevin Youkilis' home run ball in the first inning and leapt at the wall, but the ball eluded his grasp and the impact knocked the wind out of him.Jones stayed in for the second inning before being pulled for precautionary reasons with the Red Sox leading, 4-0. The Orioles replaced him with Felix Pie, who almost immediately made an impact by getting Baltimore on the board with an RBI triple in the bottom of the third.
Jones had made a similar play on Monday night, but that time he stole a homer from Youkilis.
But Youkilis and the wall got their revenge on Tuesday. Boston's third baseman lifted a ball to left-center field, and Jones appeared to have a bead on it all the way. The fleet-footed youngster jumped and appeared to glove the ball, but the impact took the glove off his hand and had him gathering his wind from his knees.
Baltimore's athletic trainers ran out to gauge his condition, and Jones was able to lobby to stay in the game. One inning later, though, the Orioles elected to err on the side of caution.
"He hit the side of his face on the fence, and he had some headaches, and as soon as information was given to [head athletic trainer] Richie Bancells [about] a head injury, we're basically obligated to get him out," said manager Dave Trembley. "But the doctor looked at him. They're not taking a CT scan. He's got a headache. We'll see how he is [on Wednesday]. We think he'll be OK, but we won't know for sure until we get here [on Wednesday]."
Spencer Fordin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
