Watch JaCoby Jones make insane HR robbery

DETROIT -- Don’t ask JaCoby Jones how he makes these catches. It’s difficult for him to explain how to soar high enough to get his entire arm over Comerica Park’s left-field fence.

It’s easier for him to describe the feeling when he gets back down with the ball in his glove, as he did Saturday with Nationals rookie Victor Robles’ third-inning drive during the Tigers' 7-5 victory.

“It's kind of like hitting a home run in a clutch situation,” Jones said. “It's actually kinda better, honestly, just to get everybody hyped. It just gets the energy going and gets the crowd into it. It's just a fun moment when you make a play like that.”

Robles’ 385-foot drive had just a .310 expected batting average, according to Statcast. However, it would’ve been gone in 13 of 30 Major League ballparks. Comerica Park likely would have been one of them if Jones weren't back in center field Saturday, having missed Friday’s game after fouling a ball off his foot.

“You could kinda see it developing. The ballpark is so big,” Tigers bench coach Steve Liddle said. “He just kept running, and he timed it perfectly.”

Jones seemingly had a play at the fence in his mind from the moment he saw the ball off the bat, retreating on it slowly to set up a step into the padding on the fence so he could reach over.

“I was playing back because I knew the wind was blowing out today,” Jones said. “The ball was carrying well. I knew once he hit it, I had a chance. Once I got close to the wall, it was going to be one of those plays where I had to jump, but it's one of those things you just do when you get close to the wall.

“I don't know how to explain it. I knew I had to go up and get it, put my foot on the wall. I couldn't jump up that high over the wall. I knew it was going to be a tough play. I just put my foot on the wall and jumped in the air.”

The fact that he could do so on a part of the fence that’s completely covered in padding made a big difference. There, he could dig in his spikes and elevate. With an uncovered fence, it’s almost impossible.

“You put your foot in it, and the spikes dig into the wall,” he said. “The padding's huge.”

Jones led Major League outfielders in Defensive Runs Saved last year, but has fallen off the pace this season. Saturday’s catch saved an actual run for starter Gregory Soto, one of two such catches behind the rookie left-hander. Nicholas Castellanos made a mad dash into the gap in right-center to take a two-run double away from Howie Kendrick in the first.