Sunday, 4 a.m.
Remember back when Brandon Lowe was having a dreadful season?
It wasn't that long ago, really. As recently as June 9, Lowe looked like a player who had gotten lost on his way to the ballpark. He was hitting .188, and it didn't look like he was going to hit much more. He looked confused, bewildered, out of place.
Now, he looks like a star...again.
Lowe hit three home runs Saturday, and drove in seven, as the Rays walloped the New York Yankees, 12-2. Lowe hit a three-run homer in the first, a three-run homer in the third and a solo shot in the seventh.It was the sixth time a Rays' player has had three homers in the same game.
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“What a day, what a season he's put together," said Rays' manager Kevin Cash. "Today was pretty special. Brandon’s seeing it well. He’s pushing 40 (homers) and 100 (RBI). That’s a pretty remarkable season."
It's special enough to make the media ponder if they rushed the MVP vote they gave to catcher Zunino.
The key numbers for the day: The Rays reached 100 (victories). Lowe reached 99 (RBI). He now has 39 homers.
It continued a torrid second half of the season for Lowe. Since June 9, he's hitting .278 with 29 homers and 74 RBI.
“(Winning 100) is a huge testament to everyone we have in the clubhouse, on the staff everyone," Lowe said. "It's definitely special, something we’ll all have for the rest of our lives. We have a chance for 101 and we’re going to try to do that."
Dor the Rays, Austin Meadows also had a three-run homer (getting him to 106 RBI). It was his 27th homer of the year. Mike Zunino had a solo homer, his 33rd.
The Rays had 19 hits for the day. Lowe, Zunino, Wander Franco and Randy Arozarena all had three hits.
Lowe admitted that "40 and 100" sounds better than "39 and 99." However, he said he won't change his approach in today's game.
Regardless, it has been one of baseball's best turnarounds.
"At the end of the day, it comes down to having a firm belief in himself as a hitter," Cash said.
Lowe admitted that his slow start "sucked," but said what he learned from it made it worth going through.
The Rays conclude their regular season today against the Yankees at 3:05 p.m. Michael Wacha will start for the Rays. The Yankees will start Jameson Taillon.