After going 0-for-4 in his first four at-bats, Lowell accepted manager Torey Lovullo's invitation to go up to the plate for a fifth time in the 10th inning. The four-time major league All-Star promptly delivered a bloop single into center field that sent outfielder Daniel Nava from first to third, which set the table for first baseman Lars Anderson's game-winning hit in the next at-bat.
"[Lovullo] asked me if I wanted it, and I said, 'Yeah,'" Lowell said of his final at-bat. "I said, 'Whether you give me five or four [at-bats], it's not going to make a difference.' I actually felt more comfortable, so I kind of wanted it."
Lovullo said that the first few at-bats proved difficult for Lowell, who hasn't seen live pitching in quite some time, but that he believes everything started to come together as the game progressed.
"His fourth at-bat for me, where he had a man at second base and the game on the line, he really got into the at-bat," Lovullo said. "[Lowell] had better rhythm, had better flow and then he talked about getting that fifth at-bat and obviously he got the big hit to help us win the game."
Lowell said before the game on Thursday that he intends to fly to Columbus on Friday, and will play with the PawSox on both Saturday and Sunday. The 36-year-old said that he thinks the back-to-back games will provide him with a really good gauge for where he stands, but he also noted that everything feels smooth in the wake of Thursday's victory.
"My biggest concern was the running and that felt good, so I'm happy with that," Lowell said. "I definitely want to swing the bat better."
At the same time, though, Lowell said that he didn't expect to come in and start lacing line drives all over the place in his first game since he had one at-bat in the Red Sox' loss in Colorado on June 22.
While the 2007 World Series MVP has been the subject of trade rumors since the offseason, Lowell continues to go about his business with the hopes that he will make an impact in the majors at some point this season.
The rehab stint is simply a stop-over and by no means an indication of where Lowell will end the 2010 campaign.
"If I'm healthy, I feel like I should be activated," he said prior to Thursday's game. "I think it would be a ridiculous point to have a cortisone shot, do a rehab assignment, feel good and not be activated."
When asked about the prospect of playing for another organization, and whether this stint provides him with an opportunity to showcase his skills for other teams around the league, Lowell said that he isn't concerned with such speculation, and that he is instead just enjoying playing the game.
"And if that happens, it happens," he said. "There's a reality of our roster — what we need and what other teams might need. And if that plays out in that way, it's good that I have no say because then I don't worry about it."
Lowell's presence certainly generated a buzz around McCoy Stadium, especially when he walked to the plate. A packed house of 10,142 was on hand to witness the come-from-behind win.
Nava, who reached base four times and scored the winning run, enjoyed Lowell's presence as much as any fan in attendance. Despite having just enjoyed over a month at the major league level, he still relished the opportunity to hit in front of Lowell.
"It was fun. Any time you have a guy who's done what he's done in his career, and very well-established, to have that opportunity is fun," Nava said. "To hear the fans' reception was awesome. That was great."
Thursday's game may have provided fans with their only chance to witness Lowell play at McCoy Stadium this season, as the infielder is expected to determine his future next week when the team travels to Toledo.
Lowell wants to play, and he wants to play at the highest level. But sometimes, you just can't jump back into the deep end right away. Thursday was an indication that there is certainly some rust after a long layoff, but the veteran is poised to make an impact upon his return to the majors, whenever and wherever that may be.
