ST. LOUIS - -Driving in a go-ahead run is nothing new for Adam Jones. But the Orioles' lone representative in the All-Star Game did have a first-time experience Tuesday.
Jones came off the American League bench and played right field, which he had never done in his two years with the Orioles. American League manager Joe Maddon essentially had three center fielders in the game, with the Tampa Bay Rays' Carl Crawford in left and the Detroit Tigers' Curtis Granderson in center.
Jones' sacrifice fly in the eighth inning scored Granderson, who had tripled. It came off the San Diego Padres' Heath Bell, on an 0-2 pitch.
Selig speaks out
Count Commissioner Bud Selig among those who didn't think it was fair that Manny Ramirez was able to play in the minor leagues while serving a 50-game suspension for a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs.
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander J.C. Romero was also able to rehabilitate in the minors while serving a 50-game suspension at the start of the 2009 season. But Selig said he hopes the next labor agreement changes those terms.
"It's a tough thing," Selig said. "That's a negotiated settlement. But that should be changed. ... A guy should sit for the full 50 games and then do what he has to do to get ready to play."
Ramirez, the Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder, played five games in the minors at the end of his suspension to get ready to return.
Selig said he hasn't been surprised by the Dodger fans' positive response to Ramirez.
"Fans, they want their teams to win," he said. "This player has been disciplined, he's back, they're in first place and he can help them win."
Late call for Figgins
Chone Figgins spent his day traveling to St. Louis for the All-Star Game. He was a late addition to the American League team, replacing Evan Longoria (infected fingertip), and wasn't expected to arrive at Busch Stadium until almost game time.
"About 5:20 on the ground, and special escort over here to Busch Stadium," Maddon said. "He was going to see if he could beat the president."
Maddon, the longtime Los Angeles Angels player and coach, was thrilled to be able to add Figgins. He had hated leaving him off the team, as the popular Angels veteran is hitting .310 and leading the AL with 68 runs and seven triples.
Maddon regretted not being able to call Figgins personally with the news.
