Hey Mikey, Boston likes it
9:53 PM Sat, Apr 25, 2009 | Permalink
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By Joe McDonald BOSTON _ When Mike Lowell stepped into the batter's box for his fourth at-bat against the Yankees on Saturday, the Sox' veteran third baseman was 0-for-3 with two ugly strikeouts. He only needed two swings to completely change the outcome of the game, and his personal performance. The first came in the bottom of the seventh when the Yankees intentionally walked hot-hitting Jason Bay in order to face Lowell. Big mistake. He crushed a 1-2 offering off Yankees reliever Jonathan Albaladejo for a three-run homer to give Boston a 12-10 advantage. "The way I started, it was a little extra satisfying finishing this way," he said. "I think especially in a situation where they walk the guy in front of you and you're able to come through - that's extra special." The second swing came in the bottom of the eighth inning as Lowell provided some insurance runs with a three-run double off reliever David Robertson to give Boston a 16-11 advantage. What started out as a horrible day offensively, turned out to be a great day. His six RBI in a game are the most since he's been with Boston, while matching a career-high he set when he was with the Marlins. He has now hit safely in his last nine games with 5 doubles, 3 homers an 18 RBI during this stretch. "Mikey rebounded from a tough start the first couple Abs to finish of the day like he did, I'm sure he's got to be pretty satisfied with that," said Bay. It must be nice for the Red Sox to have their No. 7 hitter in the lineup leading the American League with 22 RBI. Even during spring training, manager Terry Francona said the middle of the club's lineup was not your prototypical order. "I'm sure everyone thinks he's probably one of the best seven hitters in the game," said Bay. "Like he said, not exactly a trophy you want to put up in your office, but you know, its something -- guys getting on in front of him, and he's coming through. I mean, just because there's guys out there doesn't mean it's automatically going to happen, and he's been huge." Bay made the case clear when he explained Lowell is the type of hitter who barrels up the ball and doesn't strike out a lot. "He's making contact, and you make a lot of contact, you're going to get your RBIs," Bay said. "But yeah, some guys are just better than others. Some guys sniff those RBIs, and lap it up a little bit, and he seems to be one of those guys." After Lowell removed himself from the lineup against the Angels in the ALDS in 2008 due to a recurring hip problem, it was clear he needed surgery. He immediately had the procedure last November in order to be ready for spring training and Opening Day. He arrived in camp ready and prepared properly for the first game of the regular season. To date, he's only missed one game this season. "Never bet against Mike Lowell," said Red Sox starter Josh Beckett. "He's come back from a lot of things, not only in his career, but his life [testicular cancer]. This one just another one of those things that was put on his plate and he conquered it."
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And Boston loves Mikey too!!!!!!!!!
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And Mikey loves Boston too!! GO MIKEY, WE LOVE YOU!!
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