Blue Jays' Arencibia homers on first pitch of major-league career

TORONTO - Blue Jays rookie catcher J.P. Arencibia hit a home run on the first pitch of his major-league career yesterday, a two-run shot off Tampa Bay righthander James Shields.

Then he doubled on the third major-league pitch he saw. He singled on the seventh. And he homered on the eighth.

"I could never have imagined this, ever," an emotional Arencibia said as he fought back tears at a postgame news conference. "I was pretty surprised because my first at-bat, I really wasn't that nervous. I was pretty even-keeled, and then after that, I was pretty comfortable in the box."

With his mom in the stands, Arencibia - who matched Alex Rodriguez's record at Westminster Christian High School in Miami by hitting 17 homers in one season - had a debut to remember.

A first-round pick in the 2007 draft, he was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas Wednesday after John Buck injured his right thumb. He hit .303 with 31 homers and 79 RBIs in 95 games at Triple-A.

Earlier this season, Boston outfielder Daniel Nava hit a grand slam on the first pitch of his major-league career. - AP