MIAMI (AP) All-Star third baseman Mike Lowell was back in the
Florida Marlins' lineup for his first postseason start Friday in
place of slumping rookie Miguel Cabrera.
Lowell was activated from the disabled list last Sunday after
sitting out four weeks with a broken left hand. He went 1-for-4 in
the final game of the regular season but didn't start or bat in the
first two playoff games against San Francisco.
Lowell has acknowledged that his hand is less than 100 percent,
but he said he was ready to start. Cabrera went 0-for-8 with four
strikeouts in the first two playoff games and made two shaky
defensive plays.
``It was a tough decision,'' manager Jack McKeon said. ``I
thought about it all night and talked to my coaches about it. It
was a consensus that, hey, Mike was ready. He was a big factor in
our push to get here. And Miguel had a little tough time the first
two games. This might be a good time to give him a breather.''
Despite missing 32 games, Lowell led the Marlins this season
with 32 home runs and 105 RBIs.
``He gives the Marlins more stature and a better defensive guy
at third base,'' Giants manager Felipe Alou said. ``Even if he
doesn't hit because of his hand, they're a better team with him.''
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)