SEATTLE -- All but forgotten about during the first half of the season, Jed Lowrie has re-introduced himself with not just his improved health but also some production.
The infielder belted a career-high two homers in Tuesday night's 9-6 win over the Mariners, serving as the latest symbol of his rejuvenation.
"I've been saying this for a long time: I know what I'm capable of. It's more about me getting and staying healthy," said Lowrie. "Obviously, at-bats help to get comfortable. But I know what I'm capable of. As long as I stay healthy, I feel like I can do this."
Last year was almost a complete waste for Lowrie, as left wrist surgery and recurring weakness and discomfort afterwards limited him to a .147 average in just 68 at-bats.
Hoping to establish some durability for 2010, Lowrie instead came down with a prolonged bout of mononucleosis in Spring Training and didn't play for Boston until July 21.
His six home runs are a career high, and they've come in just 120 at-bats.
"I'm still doing therapy on the wrist every day, and I still have to take care of myself," said Lowrie. "But I feel good when I go out there. I don't have to think about stuff like that. I'm not on the field thinking about my wrist or feeling sick. It's a good feeling."
Despite his monster performance on Tuesday, Lowrie didn't start on Wednesday. Instead, manager Terry Francona went with Yamaico Navarro at short.
"I thought with the day off tomorrow and we have two lefties coming up, it would be really good for [Lowrie to have a day off]," said Francona. "He's been playing a lot lately and he's done pretty well. I just think that's the easy one to go, 'Oh, he's swung the bat good and run him in there,' and [that will] not be fair to him. With the day game today, day off tomorrow, I think that will really help him a little bit."
Right-hander David Pauley started for the Mariners on Wednesday. The switch-hitting Lowrie's numbers are dramatically better from the right side. In 49 at-bats against lefties, Lowrie is hitting .327, with four homers, nine RBIs and a 1.054 OPS. In 71 at-bats against righties, he's at .211, with two homers, seven RBIs and a .703 OPS.
Drew remains out with sore right ankle
SEATTLE -- J.D. Drew hoped his jammed right ankle would be "playable" for Wednesday's finale of this six-game road trip, but that was not the case.
For the third straight day, Drew was not in Boston's starting lineup. Manager Terry Francona went with an outfield of Daniel Nava in left, Ryan Kalish in center and Josh Reddick in right against right-hander David Pauley.
Because the Red Sox don't play on Thursday, this will give Drew two more days to get healthy.
"Well, to be honest with you, he's sore," Francona said. "I don't know if the day off really matters. I don't know if that really entered [into keeping him out of Wednesday's lineup]. The day off will help."
Red Sox Hall of Famers unveiled Friday
SEATTLE -- Before Friday night's game against the Blue Jays at Fenway Park, the newest members of the Red Sox Hall of Fame will be recognized during an on-field ceremony.
The inductees include Tommy Harper, Jimmy Piersall, John Valentin, Don Zimmer and Eddie Kasko, who will be represented by members of his family because of illness. Tom Brunansky will also be honored for his diving catch on Oct. 3, 1990, that clinched the American League East title for the 1990 Red Sox.
The players will be officially enshrined during a luncheon earlier in the day.
The pregame ceremony should start at 7 p.m. ET and the Red Sox encourage fans to be in their seats by 6:45 p.m.
