Athletics manager Bob Melvin can’t help but chuckle every time he’s asked about Jed Lowrie’s resurgence.
“I don’t know what to say anymore,” Melvin said Thursday. “Other than the fact that he’s just having a great year to this point, both right-handed and left-handed, big hits, driving in runs, I think he had 11 RBIs in the last five games before tonight, got another big hit, drove in another run. Just the Jed of old.”
Lowrie, who turned 37 on Saturday, entered the day slashing .360/.439/.560 with 18 hits and 12 RBI. On Friday he had his sixth straight multi-hit game, which is the longest streak of his career.
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“Maybe not as young as he was, but he’s as productive as he’s ever been,” Melvin added. “So again, you got to give him a lot of credit for his hard work.”
Melvin did say they would be giving Lowrie some time off as the A’s continued their four-game series against the Detroit Tigers. Infielder Vimael Machín was recalled Friday from the alternate training site with outfielder Stephen Piscotty went on paternity leave, and took over starting responsibilities at second base Saturday.
Lowrie’s teammates also have been taking advantage of the knowledge Lowrie brings to the table. Beyond that, what he brings to the clubhouse.
“Kind of just looks like Jed being Jed like in ‘18 and ‘19," Mark Canha said Thursday. "It wasn’t any different those years -- had a couple really good years for us, and he’s doing the same thing now and I’m not surprised at all. Not only that, he’s an awesome presence in the clubhouse. I pick his brain personally all the time for hitting and stuff, and ask him a lot of questions here and there and try to learn what I can from him because he’s a great baseball mind especially when it comes to hitting.”
Oakland Athletics
Lowrie was an AL All-Star selection in 2018 while with the A’s and finished the season batting .267/.353.448 with 159 hits and 99 RBI.
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Lowrie’s re-emergence comes after two “frustrating” years with the New York Mets after he signed a two-year, $20 million contract. He was riddled with injuries and played in just nine games with the team. He was able to undergo surgery on his knee after becoming a free agent in October.
Lowrie’s reunion, after signing a minor league contract with the A’s, proved, just as he said, it was his home. He was emotional on Opening Day as it took him a long time to get back to this point. Under the fireworks of the celebration, he was able to put all of the woes behind him and get a fresh restart with the team he’s always thrived with.