Red Sox’s Nathaniel Lowe Embraces Playoff Atmosphere In Boston

Welcome to the party, pal. Nathaniel Lowe made his debut with the Boston Red Sox on Monday. He pinch-hit for first baseman Romy Gonzalez in the ninth inning. Lowe drew a walk and eventually scored Jarren Duran’s double as the Red Sox tried (and failed) to rally in their final at-bat of the 6-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

Before the game, Lowe talked about joining the Red Sox Monday for the stretch run following his release by the Washington Nationals.

“It’s so exciting,” said Lowe, according to MLB.com’s Ian Browne. “Getting plugged into a lineup that’s having great success, and is part of making a great postseason push, is what it’s all about. It’s a true blessing to be here.”

The Red Sox had been using a platoon of Gonzalez and Abraham Toro at first base after Triston Casas suffered a season-ending knee injury. Boston also has prospects Kristian Campbell and Jhostynxon Garcia taking reps at first base with Triple-A Worcester.

For now, the Gold Glove-winning Lowe is expected to get at-bats when the Red Sox face a right-handed pitcher, like they due Tuesday against Orioles righty Tomoyuki Sugano.

Lowe, a former Silver Slugger Award winner, is hitting a career-worst .216 this season. But in seven MLB seasons, he’s a lifetime .263 hitter. And he still has plenty of pop in his bat, based on his 16 home runs and 68 RBIs this year.

“The slash line is nowhere near where I want it to be,” said Lowe, per Browne. “I’d like to have amnesia. I’d like to kind of wipe it from my memory, because it hasn’t gone nearly as well as I’d like it to. There’s so much room for improvement.”

The 30-year-old Lowe is a proven postseason producer, helping the Texas Rangers win the 2023 World Series. He’s hoping to get some more playoff at-bats with the Red Sox, who are tied for second place in the American League East and tied atop the AL Wild Card standings.

“It’s definitely a different animal,” Lowe said of playing in the postseason, according to Browne. “You throw your personal stats aside, and the only thing that matters is winning that day. Playing that brand of baseball down the stretch and obviously in the postseason is most important. It’s kind of addicting. It’s like, the point of the whole thing is winning the whole thing.”