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Lowell putting together a career year

MLB. In the past, Sox third baseman Mike Lowell has suffered through batting average swoons and power outages in the second half of the season.

Consider that pattern to be ancient history.

After an All-Star worthy first half, Lowell has continued to pepper major-league pitching in the season’s second-half and is currently one of the hottest hitters in the big leagues.

“He’s been our MVP for this entire year,” Sox captain Jason Varitek said of the third baseman who is hitting .383 with four home runs and 38 RBIs since the All-Star break. “Mike has had to battle a lot to do what he’s doing, and he plays defense, too, and that’s a big part [of his value].”

Lowell was on base in all five plate appearances last night, smacked a three-run homer in the first inning, was intentionally walked and even stole a base while continuing to ride a career-best 16-game hitting streak.

The Gold Glover also drove in his 101st run of the season, making him just the sixth third sacker in Boston history to knock in 100 runs, and the first to do it since Butch Hobson knocked in 112 runs in 1977, a team record for third basemen.

“He’s been doing that from Day 1, and I think as the season is progressing, he’s feeling even better at the plate,” said Sox manager Terry Francona. “And you know what you’re getting at third base every night. He’s just a really good professional player having an exceptional year.”

During the streak, Lowell is hitting an even .500 with two home runs and 19 RBIs, and has seen his batting average skyrocket from .310 to .333 — good for fifth place in the American League batting race.

The hits have been both plentiful and productive for Lowell, as he’s swatting well over .300 with runners in scoring position, with runners on, with men on base and in close and late situations — a set of statistics he takes great pride in.

“He’s a godsend,” said Sox hitting coach Dave Magaden. “He’s been very consistent all year, and — knock on wood — he hasn’t had many stretches without getting his hits.

“He’s wanted to hit higher up in the lineup for a long time, and he’s really responding to hitting in that four-hole. He likes to be in those [run-producing] situations. There are some guys that don’t like being the guy or don’t want to be the guy that has to drive in runs … and he is not one of those guys. Not only is he driving in runs, but he’s driving in big runs for us. There aren’t many other people in the league that I’d like to have up in those situations.”

The free agent-to-be also seems to be the guy who can solve the season-long problem the Sox have had in finding a five-hole hitter to protect David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez when Ramirez makes his eventual return to the lineup. In 68 at-bats in the five-spot, Lowell is hitting .448 with four home runs, 19 RBIs and an astronomical OPS of 1.214.

He has also managed to keep impending free agency off his mind, but at the same time left no doubts where he wants to be next year — manning the hot corner in Boston.

“It’s a nice feeling when they put you in the [cleanup] spot and you’re able to produce. Instead of making it a dead spot in the lineup, that’s an important spot, and I’m happy with what I’m doing in there,” said Lowell. “I’m in a great spot, and I’m not stressing over [free agency]. I’m just going to keep playing and worry about that in November.”