Lowell’s Three Homers Prove Vital for Marlins

The last time Mike Lowell had a game such as this, he was swinging an aluminum bat in college.

Lowell homered three times and Luis Castillo hit a sacrifice fly in the 12th inning to send the Florida Marlins to their eighth consecutive victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, 8-7, Wednesday night.

Lowell led off the ninth with a tying shot off All-Star closer Billy Wagner, who had his first blown save with the Phillies. The Marlin third baseman also hit a solo shot off Eric Milton in the second and a two-run drive off Tim Worrell in the seventh, becoming the first player in team history to connect three times in one game.

It was the first three-homer game in the majors this season.

“I didn’t get caught up in the at-bats because we were trying to come back,” Lowell said. “It was a career day. I did it in tee ball and once in college [at Florida International] my sophomore year.”

With a chance to hit his fourth homer and tie a major league record, Lowell popped out to third base in the 11th against Ryan Madson. Lowell came in with one homer in the first 13 games.

“He stepped up big time,” Marlin Manager Jack McKeon said.

Pinch-hitter Ricky Ledee’s two-run homer in the eighth inning off Chad Fox gave Philadelphia a 7-6 lead. Jim Thome also homered.

The World Series champion Marlins have won 17 of their last 19 games against the Phillies, who blew a slim wild-card lead over Florida down the stretch last season.

Juan Pierre walked with one out in the 12th against Madson (0-1). Pierre stole second and went to third on an errant throw by catcher Mike Lieberthal, despite a pitchout.

Castillo then lofted a medium fly to left, and Pat Burrell’s throw to the plate hit Pierre.