For Starters, Lowe Is Doing His Job Well

Derek Lowe claims he’s only a No. 3 starter, but his record suggests otherwise.

Lowe outpitched Tom Glavine and became the first American League pitcher to win 11 games, helping the Boston Red Sox beat the Atlanta Braves, 6-1, Sunday at Turner Field in Atlanta.

Jason Varitek and Trot Nixon homered for the Red Sox. Pedro Martinez and John Burkett, Boston’s top two starters, lost the first two games of the series.

“I’m not the ace, I’ll tell you that right now,” Lowe said. “This is only two months. To be considered an ace, you’ve got to do this for years. I’m the third guy in line, and I just try to win games.”

Chicago White Sox 10, Chicago Cubs 7--Carlos Lee spoiled the Cubs’ hopes for their first sweep of the season, driving in a career-high seven runs with a grand slam and a three-run homer to lead the White Sox at Wrigley Field.

Oakland 2, San Francisco 1--Barry Zito pitched into the seventh inning for his eighth consecutive victory and the Athletics won the Bay Bridge series, taking two of three at Pacific Bell Park. Zito (9-2) gave up four hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Minnesota 7, Milwaukee 6--David Ortiz drove in three runs during a four-run first inning and Dustan Mohr, Denny Hocking and Corey Koskie hit home runs for the Twins at Milwaukee.

Cleveland 5, Colorado 4--Bartolo Colon won for the fourth time in five starts for the Indians, who have won four of six overall and six of nine on the road. The Rockies have lost 10 of 13.

Arizona 11, Detroit 2--Mark Grace drove in three runs with a homer and his 500th double and Rick Helling (7-5) scattered six hits in eight innings at Phoenix.

Montreal 6, Toronto 5--Mike Mordecai’s single with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning drove in Troy O’Leary to give the Expos their fifth straight win.

St. Louis 5, Kansas City 1--Woody Williams pitched a five-hitter and helped himself at the plate with a double and an RBI as the Cardinals completed a three-game sweep at St. Louis.

San Diego 5, Seattle 3--Oliver Perez, a 20-year-old left-hander, won his major league debut and was helped by Wiki Gonzalez, who hit a three-run homer at San Diego.

Houston 7, Texas 6--Craig Biggio hit a run-scoring single off John Rocker in the bottom of the ninth inning. Julio Lugo hit two home runs for the Astros.

Baltimore 4, Philadelphia 2--Travis Driskill, a 30-year-old rookie, won his fourth decision in a row, yielding two runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings at Philadelphia.

Pittsburgh 5, Cincinnati 1--Craig Wilson homered for the third straight game and Jimmy Anderson pitched a five-hitter at Cincinnati.