Suddenly, Pavano Is a Stopper

Carl Pavano is often overshadowed in Florida’s rotation.

He’s not a World Series most valuable player like Josh Beckett. He hasn’t won an NL-rookie-of-the-year award like Dontrelle Willis. He doesn’t have a no-hitter like A.J. Burnett. And he doesn’t throw as hard as Brad Penny.

But he’s more consistent than any of them -- something everyone is starting to notice.

Pavano pitched a three-hitter Wednesday night to give the Florida Marlins a 4-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Pavano (7-2) won his third consecutive start and got his second career shutout -- the other coming on June 13, 1999. He struck out eight and issued one intentional walk. And he ended Carlos Lee’s hitting streak at 28 games.

“Right now, Pavano’s at the top of the list,” Marlin Manager Jack McKeon said. “He’s the unsung hero. He’s unheralded. This guy is overlooked sometimes, but since the middle of last season, he’s been right there with the best of them.”

Lee’s streak was a team record and the longest in the majors this season.

“Any time you do something like this, it’s nice to look back on,” said Lee, who hit .369 (45 for 122) during the streak. “I’m sure I’ll be able to do that at some point, but not right now. I’m not disappointed or upset. I gave it a nice run, and it finally ended. That’s about it.”

Scott Schoeneweis (5-5) lost his third consecutive start. He gave up 10 hits and four runs in 6 1/3 innings.

Florida’s Mike Lowell, who got his first hit in 29 at-bats with a solo home run Tuesday night, hit his 16th home run in the fourth.

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Hit Parade

The 28-game hitting streak of the Chicago White Sox’s Carlos Lee ended Wednesday. It is the longest streak in the majors this season. The longest hitting streaks since 1999:

*--* Player Club Gm. Year Luis Castillo Florida Marlins 35 2002 Vladimir Guerrero Montreal Expos 31 1999 Albert Pujols St. Louis Cardinals 30 2003 Luis Gonzalez Ariz. Diamondbacks 30 1999 Carlos Lee Chicago White Sox 28 2004 Gabe Kapler Texas Rangers 28 2000 Shawn Green Toronto Blue Jays 28 1999

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