Lowe Goes Through Repertoire Effectively

Derek Lowe takes an August approach to March outings, and the result impressed the Dodgers on a sunny-as-summer day at the Disney Wide World of Sports complex.

Lowe faced nine Atlanta Brave batters in three innings, mowing down the lineup the Braves expect to field opening day.

Six of the first seven batters hit ground balls, only one of which scooted through the infield for a single. A double play erased the runner. Lowe is a sinker-ball pitcher and getting ground balls is his forte.

“The only way I get anything done in spring training is to go out there and throw all my pitches and try to get guys out,” he said. “I told [catcher] David Ross to call pitches like it was midseason.”

Lowe’s approach was in striking contrast to that of Jeff Weaver, who gave up two home runs and four doubles in three innings to the Braves a day earlier. Weaver did not throw any breaking balls and threw several changeups in a row at one point simply because he thinks he needs to work on the pitch.

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The Dodgers lost, 3-2, when the Braves scored two unearned runs in the ninth inning. It was the second consecutive day the Braves beat the Dodgers by scoring in their last at-bat.... Tyus Meadows, an outfielder signed as a six-year minor league free agent, homered in the top of the ninth to give the Dodgers a short-lived lead.

Kazuhisa Ishii pitched one scoreless inning and struck out Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones.... Minor league infielders Tony Schrager and Willy Aybar each had two hits.... The Dodgers will hold an open tryout for any professional or amateur free agent Monday at Dodgertown.