A typical Cleveland rain came down at Progressive Field, forcing a 50-minute weather delay before the Athletics’ 6-3 win over the Indians on Wednesday night. Before all was said and done, Jed Lowrie once again proved he is built for clutch moments.
In the top of the eighth inning with the game tied 3-3, Lowrie hit a three-run home run to right field to put the A’s up 6-3. It once again was a job fit for someone who thrives with runners on base.
“Jed’s been doing it all year,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said after the game. “Even when he has games where he might not be swinging great, he shows up late in the game with big at-bats and no bigger than today, so been pretty consistent with that.”
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SIGN UP HERE Lowrie hadn’t played in roughly two seasons after an admittingly frustrating time with the New York Mets. He signed a two-year, $20-million contract which resulted in just seven at-bats due to injuries.
“Pretty remarkable what he’s done this year for a guy that basically took two years off,” Melvin added.
In typical fashion, Lowrie didn't want to hog the spotlight.
“Everybody in this lineup is a pro,” Lowrie said after the game. “You can’t let early at-bats affect what you’re going to do later, but I thought [Cal] Quantrill pitched a great game and had great stuff tonight.”
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Lowrie batted cleanup Wednesday night, and relayed that his approach doesn't change regardless of his spot in the lineup. Other than maybe some extra focus in those clutch situations, he chalks his success up to knowing the type of hitter he is after all of these years.
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“That’s one of those things that it takes time,” Lowrie said. “I think pitch recognition and commanding the zone is something that I’ve always done well in my career and I think just as I’ve grown as a player, knowing which pitches I can kind of turn loose on and which ones in certain situations, too, where you got to take what they give you.”
With 13 seasons in the big leagues, Lowrie's veteran presence is blending in perfectly with a loose clubhouse and helping the A’s push their way toward the playoffs.