Mike Lowell Spinners, led by Keith Foulke

Things will be a bit different at LeLacheur Park tonight. The Spinners have officially changed their name to the “Mike Lowell” Spinners for the day and Red Sox pitcher Keith Foulke is scheduled to make a rehab appearance.

It was announced earlier this week that Foulke, on the disabled list for most of the 2006 season, would be on hand in Lowell tonight. He made two rehab appearances in Lowell last summer.

Foulke’s scheduled appearance coincides with the Spinners changing their name to the “Mike Lowell Spinners” for one game. Each player, including Foulke, will wear a special jersey that reads “Mike Lowell” on the front. The jerseys will be auctioned off during the game to benefit Lowell Spinners charities.

Mike Lowell will not be in attendance as the Red Sox are home that night against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. However, updates of Mike Lowell’s performance will be featured during the Spinners game on LeLacheur Park’s Pepsi VideoBoard, along with pre-recorded Mike Lowell footage.

In honor of Mike Lowell, who is currently tied for the Major League lead with 35 doubles, the Lowell Spinners will donate $50 to the Winter Warmth Project for each double Spinners batters hit during Mike Lowell Night, and special Mike Lowell double-cheeseburgers will be on sale at the Spinners concessions stands for the evening.

Friday’s game is scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m. and standing room tickets can be purchased for $3.50 at the Lowell Spinners Box Office or at 978-459-1702.

Anibal Impresses Again

Have you been following Anibal Sanchez, a Spinner in 2004, in the month since his rookie debut?

He impressed again tonight with a seven inning, one-run outing at Atlanta.

Red Sox fans may remember his sole appearance against Boston on July 1 when he allowed seven runs in 4.1 innings of mop-up duty.

But excluding that outing, Sanchez has been one of Florida’s best starters. In his five other starts, Sanchez has a 1.44 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. He didn’t allow a run in three of his five starts.

Sanchez led the NYPL in ERA and strikeouts as a Spinner in 2004. 

The young Marlins starter was — along with ‘02 Spinner Hanley Ramirez — included in the trade that netted Boston current AL wins leader Josh Beckett.

Jonathan Papelbon Weighs in on Joshua’s Success

Boston Red Sox - Sox may catch lightning

Did you catch this in Nick Cafardo’s column in today’s Boston Globe? Jonathan Papelbon weighs in on his brothers’ success in his old stomping grounds at LeLacheur Park:

Joshua Papelbon, Jonathan’s brother, has two saves and has not allowed an earned run in his first six appearances (7 1/3 innings) for short-season Single A Lowell. Selected by the Sox in the 48th round this year, Papelbon, 23, has a twin, Jeremy, who is in the Cubs’ system with Single A Boise. “Neither of them have allowed an earned run,” said Jonathan Papelbon of his brothers. “I’m very proud of them. It’s been a blast to follow them.”

From Lowell to Portland in a matter of months

Centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury made his professional debut in 2005 with the Lowell Spinners and he’s already in Double-A Portland!

Promoted from High-A Wilmington on July 11, Ellsbury was leading the Blue Rocks with a .298 batting average and 25 stolen bases. He’d hit four home runs. Watch Portland’s box scores because Ellsbury is slated to make his Double-A debut soon!

Ellsbury hit .317 with 23 stolen bases in Lowell last year.

See you in Portland, Jacoby!

Eckstein Added to All-Star Roster

Eckstein gets late All-Star nod

With the addition of 1997 Spinner David Eckstein, three former Spinners will take the field during Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game in Pittsburgh, by far the most ever to be selected to All-Star teams.

Eckstein is replacing New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, whose injured finger is preventing him from playing.

Eckstein joins former Spinner Freddy Sanchez (2001) on the National League roster. They will be opposed by former Spinner Jonathan Papelbon (2003).

It is Eckstein’s second consecutive All-Star season. The only other former Spinner to play in two All-Star games is Toronto’s Shea Hillenbrand (2002 and 2005).

Congrats to all three former Spinners All-Stars!

‘01 Spinners Catcher to Pitch in Futures Game

You may remember Edgar Martinez from his season as the Lowell Spinners catcher in 2001.

After a conversion to pitching, Martinez (2-3, 3.15 ERA) is lighting it up in Double-A Portland, earning him a spot on the All-Star Futures Game roster.  With 39 strikeouts in 40.0 innings of work and eight saves, Martinez is one of Portland’s best players.

Watch for your former catcher on the mound July 9th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

Two Former Spinners named All-Stars

Two former Spinners, Red Sox rookie closer Jonathan Papelbon and Pirates infielder Freddy Sanchez, were named All-Stars today.

Sanchez, a 2000 Spinner, is batting .368 with five home runs and 45 RBI. In 34 games with the Spinners, Sanchez hit .288 with 13 doubles and a home run.

Papelbon, the first former Spinner to be named to an All-Star team as a rookie, has 25 saves and a 0.43 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 41.2 innings of work.

Both Sanchez and Papelbon are being honored with bobblehead giveaways on July 26 and August 17, respectively.

The MLB All-Star game is scheduled for July 11.

Congrats, Freddy and Jonathan!