Lowell crosses up the strategy

He makes Orioles regret their move

J.D. Drew continued his red-hot hitting with a two-run homer in the eighth inning last night. (Charles Krupa/Associated Press)

The situation is hardly one to take personally.

One out, runners on second and third, and Manny Ramírez at the plate. You could pitch to Ramírez, owner of 505 career homers and a 15-game hitting streak, or face Mike Lowell and hope for a double play.

"I'd walk Manny every time to face me," Lowell said.

The Orioles agreed. They intentionally walked Ramírez, but Lowell wrote his own script. He hit a grand slam to give the Red Sox a 5-0 lead in the fifth inning. The homer was one of three by the Sox in a 9-2 victory last night at Fenway Park.

J.D. Drew, who was on base for Lowell's smash, said he could see Lowell focus on the slider.

"He was a little frustrated with the at-bat before, and he wanted to get his hands inside the ball, and I think he did a really good job of it," said Drew. "In that situation where you walk Manny, that's always a huge hit."

Lowell didn't resent the Orioles' strategy. While the odds may favor the pitcher in that scenario, he has proven it may be worth a second thought. On May 22, the Royals intentionally walked Ramírez to face Lowell. The result? Grand slam.

Lowell enjoys the challenge, especially because he considers himself a fly-ball hitter.

"For me, there's not a better situation to hit [than] with a runner on third and less than two outs," he said. "It's as close to a gimme RBI as there is. You still have to work for it, but I feel like my margin of error is big."

Throughout the season, Lowell has shown how much he likes the bases full. In those situations, he has 4 doubles, 2 home runs, and 14 RBIs in eight at-bats.

"I really try to focus on the runner on third when there is less than two outs," he said. "If I try to do anything else, my swing will get long. So I just feel like they don't have anyplace to put me, so that's to my advantage. I'm looking to drive the ball, but I'm not really thinking home run, which I think is the best way to go about it."

Lowell has been hot recently. He is 13 for 47 with 4 homers and 17 RBIs in his last 14 games, including homers the last two nights.

With David Ortiz nursing an injured wrist on the disabled list, replacement production throughout the lineup is a benefit. Long drives seemed to be in the air last night as Drew and Kevin Youkilis connected for two-run homers, their 10th apiece.

Since Ortiz went on the DL, Drew has an 11-game hitting streak that includes six homers, five doubles, a triple, and 15 RBIs. He is hitting .500 during that stretch.

That kind of production will be critical as the Red Sox visit Cincinnati this weekend, because there'll be no DH in the National League park.

Drew's contributions haven't gone unnoticed either.

"I admire his ability because it seems like sometimes he's just bored at the plate," Lowell said. "I feel like I have to get so intense, but I don't think that's a lack of intensity on his part. I think it's just the way he goes about things. He's really filled a big gap for us. He's kind of been David. Big home runs, big hits."