Edsel Ford Grad, Derek Lowe, Throws First Shutout In 7 Years Vs. Twins
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. He became the first pitcher to throw a shutout without a strikeout since Scott Erickson for Baltimore against Kansas City on April 28, 2002.
"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 induced four double-play grounders to win his fourth straight decision.
