Lowe shuts out Twins; Johnson dooms Bucs
Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS
Derek Lowe has lasted 16 seasons in the major leagues with one of the sharpest sinkers around, a simple pitch that has helped stabilize Cleveland’s rotation.
It was working so well Tuesday against Minnesota’s languishing lineup that Lowe threw it a whole lot.
About 120 times.
Lowe posted his first shutout in nearly seven years, throwing a six-hitter and leading the Indians past the Twins 5-0.
“It’s been a really gratifying start. Coming into this season there were so many questions about, ‘Are you done? Are you going to retire?”’ Lowe said. “I worked my tail off, not just to prove people wrong but to get myself back to where I knew I should be.”
Shin-Soo Choo, the Indians’ new leadoff man, scored after a leadoff double in the third inning and then hit the first of three Cleveland home runs in the fifth against Jason Marquis (2-3). Asdrubal Cabrera and Carlos Santana also homered to break the game open for Lowe (6-1), who won his fourth-straight.
Marlins 6, Pirates 2
MIAMI
Josh Johnson allowed two runs over seven innings for his first victory in more than a year. Johnson (1-3) had gone winless in 12 starts since his most recent victory on April 19, 2011. He missed the final 41/2 months of last season because of right shoulder inflammation. Hanley Ramirez had three hits and two RBIs for the Marlins. Omar Infante tied a career high with four hits and John Buck singled home the other two runs.