The frustrating at-bats are still there. But for every ill-advised swing leading to a strikeout, Adam Jones can be seen in another plate appearance showing signs of stardom.

The Orioles center fielder went 2-for-4 Friday and has hit in eight consecutive games. He's batting .469 (15-for-32) in that stretch, and since June 1 he has batted .336 (38-for-113) to raise his average 34 points to .279.

Manager Dave Trembley attributes Jones' improvement to better pitch recognition. Jones often has been overmatched against tough breaking balls.

"One of the things I've been working on is having good at-bats," Jones said. "Make the pitcher throw five or six pitches to one hitter, it can turn out to be something good. Laying off the junk."

Jones was the Orioles' most noteworthy addition of the offseason, coming east in the trade that sent ace left-hander Erik Bedard to Seattle. He was anointed the everyday center fielder, and the club has been patient with him through tough times.

Jones' biggest drawback is his plate discipline. He came to Baltimore with the reputation of being a free swinger, and he's lived up to that title for the most part. Jones has struck out 73 times and walked just 16, putting him on pace for 139 strikeouts and 30 free passes.

Above all else, though, the former shortstop has also settled into his role defensively. The athletic, 6-foot-2, 210-pound defender glides easily through the outfield, and has made the difficult catches look routine. He's been playing shallow in center field of late, drawing comparisons to former Orioles outfielder Paul Blair.

ORIOLES 10, RANGERS 4: The top and bottom thirds of the Orioles lineup accounted for every RBI and 10 of 12 hits. Starter Jeremy Guthrie (5-7) lasted 6 1/3 innings, scattering eight hits and four runs for the Orioles, who have won in three of their ace's last four starts.

Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.