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Lowrie's dream rookie season gets even better

Submitted by SHNS on Tue, 10/07/2008 - 17:11

BOSTON -- In a game filled with improbable moments, the Boston Red Sox' biggest hero was as unlikely as anyone. Jed Lowrie began this season playing 53 games in Class AAA Pawtucket and continued his dream rookie season in the majors by driving in the run that clinched Boston's A.L. Division Series Wednesday night at Fenway Park. Lowrie bounced a single into right field that opened the door for Jason Bay to race around and score from second base with the winning run. "It was a curveball down in the zone," Lowrie said. "I know he's got a good one. I was just able to get the barrel on it." Lowrie ended the regular season hitting .213 in September, a slump that knocked his final regular-season average down to .258 (with two homers and 46 RBI). But his strong glove cemented his place as the team's starting shortstop. He said he's never lost his confidence and understands that defense is his main responsibility. Maybe that's why being an offensive hero seemed so satisfying. "Well, I never really lost my confidence," said Lowrie. "That's kind of the game of baseball. It's never easy. You know, I felt like I was grinding out at-bats in September. Not a lot to show for it. I came into the playoffs with my confidence still high, but, you know, it's a funny game. You can hit the ball hard and get out, and you can bloop one in and get a hit. So it's just a matter of maintaining a steady approach." Lowrie hit safely in all three games of the series he played in and finished hitting .364 (4 for 11).(Contact Kevin McNamara at kmcnamar@projo.com.)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)