Jones wields big bat as Tacoma belts 51s

Adam Jones homered and finished with three hits to lead the Tacoma Rainiers to an 8-3 victory over the Las Vegas 51s in the Pacific Coast League on Monday at Tacoma, Wash.

Jones hit a tying solo homer off 51s starter William Juarez (0-1) in the third inning and Bryan LaHair's RBI double later in the inning put the Rainiers ahead for good, 3-2.

Tacoma made it 7-2 in the fourth, keyed by Wladimir Balentien's two-run double. Juarez didn't escape the inning, and was charged with six runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings.

Las Vegas leadoff man Tony Abreu opened the game with a solo homer off Ryan Feierabend (2-2), and Matt Kemp and Sergio Garcia batted in the 51s' other runs. Choo Freeman had two hits. Feierabend struck out six in 5 2/3 innings.

The teams continue their four-game series today at 11:35 a.m. The 51s return home Friday to start a four-game series against Portland.