Jones struggling with throw to second base

PITTSBURGH -- Garrett Jones, as a first baseman, appears to have developed a slight case of the yips when he has to make a throw to second base.

The last few times Jones, a left-handed thrower, has had to make a peg to second, his throw has sailed about 10 feet to the left of the bag. The problem surfaced during the Pirates' late-July series in Washington, and it continued Tuesday night.

In the first inning, Jeff Locke picked Christian Yelich off first base -- however, Jones' throw hit second-base umpire Gary Cederstrom in the small of the back. Yelich was credited with a stolen base, and the play did not result in a run in a game the Bucs went on to win, 4-3.

"First base still isn't a comfortable position for him," manager Clint Hurdle said of Jones, who is originally an outfielder but has seen more Major League action at first (323 games) than in the outfield (287). "There's more footwork involved. The outfield footwork does seem more comfortable for him.

"He continues to go out early and work specifically on that throw. He's well-aware of it. It's just a matter of reps and confidence."