Lowe Prefers Other Rivalry

Derek Lowe came away unimpressed by his first taste of the storied rivalry between the Dodgers and Giants.

Why? It’s tough to top the passion that accompanies the battles between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees in recent years.

“Here it seems like a dislike,” he said. “There it’s a full-blown hatred.”

Lowe pitched for the Red Sox for eight years before signing as a free agent with the Dodgers. The Red Sox were in the shadow of their well-heeled rivals until last season when they overcame a 3-0 deficit in the American League championship series with Lowe winning Game 7.

“The biggest difference is that the Red Sox and Yankees seem to play in the postseason every year,” he said. “They have to go through each other to get to the World Series.”

He understands that the Dodger-Giant rivalry -- extending back to when both teams were in New York -- is peppered with furious battles and outstanding games.

But he also knows what it will take to heat up again.

“When it comes down to the playoff hunt, if it’s the same here as it was in Boston, that will be fun to be part of,” he said.

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Lowe plans to fly to Boston after his start Sunday at Arizona to receive his World Series ring during a ceremony at Fenway Park before the Red Sox play their home opener against the Yankees on Monday afternoon.

“I’ll leave after our game, fly all night, get my ring, tip my hat and be on my way,” he said.

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Leadoff batter Cesar Izturis walked to lead off the game, his first free pass since 2004. Izturis did not walk the entire spring.... Rookie Jason Repko not only lost a run batted in on his first major league hit Wednesday, he also lost an extra-base hit. Repko doubled in the sixth inning, but because Izturis was called out for missing third the scoring was changed to a single Thursday.... Reliever Giovanni Carrara, who pulled a hamstring in the opener, could be available to pitch today, Manager Jim Tracy said.... Right-hander Brad Penny will take the next step in his recovery from biceps tendinitis, making 70 pitches today in an extended spring training game at Vero Beach, Fla. Left-hander Wilson Alvarez, who like Penny is on the disabled list, will make 40 pitches in batting practice.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Arizona Diamondbacks, three games.

Site -- Bank One Ballpark.

TV -- FSNW2 on Friday and Saturday; Ch. 13 on Sunday.

Radio -- 980, 1330.

Records -- Dodgers 2-1; Diamondbacks 2-1.

Record vs. Diamondbacks -- 16-3 in 2004.

Tonight, 6:30 -- Elmer Dessens (0-0, 0.00) vs. Shawn Estes (0-0, 0.00).

Saturday, 6:30 p.m. -- Scott Erickson (0-0, 0.00) vs. Javier Vazquez (0-1, 37.80).

Sunday, 1:30 p.m. -- Derek Lowe (0-1, 2.57) vs. Russ Ortiz (1-0, 4.50).