Lowe falters again, and now it's really time for fans to worry

Friday, September 24, 2004

COLUMN: Kevin Thomas

BOSTON - Minutes into Thursday night's game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox, Derek Lowe stood on the Fenway Park mound, sweating, with runners on first and third, no outs and a 2-0 count to Melvin Mora.

Anyone out there sweating along with Lowe?

The Red Sox are on the eve of another series against the Yankees, and Lowe was about to implode for the first time in about, oh, let's say five days, when the New York Yankees scorched him in the Bronx.

If Boston is going to do something in the upcoming playoffs, an effective Lowe would help. And if this weekend's games with the Yankees were to mean anything, a win against the Orioles was vital.

But Lowe could not get it done, and neither did the bullpen as Baltimore won, 9-7.

This one had all the makings of a feel-good night at Fenway Park. The Red Sox had two straight walk-off victories and were set up to do it again. Anticipation is building with the Yankees coming to town. And, for extra sentiment, 40-year-old Ellis Burks was activated from the disabled list after two knee surgeries.

"Oldest September call-up in the history of the game," teased teammate Kevin Millar as Burks spoke with reporters before the game. Burks said he is almost sure he will retire at the end of the season.

Burks was immediately thrust into a key situation, pinch hitting in the ninth with the Red Sox trying to rally from a four-run deficit. Sandwiched between two standing ovations, Burks singled to center to keep the rally brewing.

The Red Sox scored twice in the ninth and had David Ortiz at the plate representing the winning run. Ortiz hit a long fly ball but didn't get it all, and a deflated Fenway crowd watched as the ball was caught in right field.

A comeback might have gotten Lowe off the hook. Who would have remembered the five runs and nine hits he allowed in five innings?

Lowe got out of that first inning relatively damage-free. He allowed a run but was rescued by a brilliantly-turned double play, started by a diving Pokey Reese and turned by a leaping Orlando Cabrera.

But Lowe kept getting into jams, and he kept allowing big hits, including Tejada's NASA launch over the Monster for a three-run homer.

"I felt fine," Lowe said. "For the most part, there was one pitch hard hit (until) that point (a Javy Lopez triple). You have to give (Tejada) credit."

Still, Lowe admitted that his five-inning effort "put us behind the 8-ball."

Officially, Mendoza was the losing pitcher. He did not help his chances of making the playoff roster, allowing two hits in the eighth. Both hits led to runs.

The surprise appearance came from Byung-Hyun Kim, who was not expected to enter a close game. He gave up two runs in the ninth.

Francona said he put Kim in the game because he didn't want to overuse other relievers.

"I was trying to protect people," said Francona. "If there is blame, I will take it. Because it didn't work."

But Francona would not have needed to make desperate bullpen moves if Lowe had gone beyond five innings.

Boston could have won this game, with thoughts of clinching a playoff berth - if not catching the Yankees - by the end of this weekend.

To catch New York now, the Red Sox will most likely have to sweep this weekend's series and then get help from other teams next week.

Whether they catch the Yankees or not, the Red Sox seem destined for the playoffs, and Burks intends to enjoy the ride. Even if he's not on the playoff roster, Burks said he will stay with the team to the end of the World Series.

"And the parade, too," he said.

But the Red Sox will need more consistent performances from Lowe and the bullpen if there is to be a World Series in Boston, let alone a parade.

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com

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