Photo by Ed Delany, MMO
The St. Lucie Mets and their fans were greeted with a surprise on Tuesday night as Jed Lowrie appeared in the lineup batting second as the designated hitter. The club was beginning a six-game homestand.
Lowrie, 35, has yet to play in a major league game for the Mets after signing a two-year deal in the offseason. The veteran has dealt with a myriad of injuries including a capsule sprain in his left knee and a hamstring strain.
Lowrie made contact in all four at-bats, starting with this first inning hard-hit grounder to second base.
In his second at-bat in the bottom of the third, Lowrie again grounded out to the second baseman.
The fun came in the bottom of the fifth when Lowrie, in his third at-bat, hit an infield single to the right side, hustling to first. Feeling he had no chance to throw out Lowrie, the second baseman attempted to throw out a hustling Hansel Moreno who ended up scoring all the way from second on the play to give St. Lucie their first and only one of the night.
In his fourth and final at-bat of the night in the eighth, Lowrie laced one into right field, but right into the shift. The fielder was able to handle the ball and throw to first to end Lowrie’s night.
The St. Lucie Mets remain home through the week so it’s possible Lowrie stays with the team for the next couple of days.
Mets manager Mickey Callaway said on Tuesday that there still wasn’t a timetable for Lowrie’s return and since it’s been so long since his last game action, they would take it day-to-day.
