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Lowe takes a mature approach this time
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More from MLBVERO BEACH, Fla. — The last time Derek Lowe entered the final year of a contract, things didn't exactly turn out the way he wanted.
Sure, Lowe helped the Boston Red Sox to the world championship in 2004 and pitched the clinching game in the World Series. But almost everything else was a disappointment.
The 34-year-old is convinced he won't make the same mistakes this time around with Los Angeles.
"(2004) was my worst regular season for me personally," Lowe said Sunday after making his first start of the spring. "Having gone through that the first time, I realize I was trying too hard every time out.
"I tried to prove I was worth more than they thought and every time out I was costing myself money."
After the '04 season, in which he went 14-12 with a 5.42 ERA, Lowe signed a four-year, $36 million deal with the Dodgers.
There are no talks currently between Lowe and Los Angeles and he's fine with that. He said he's more concerned with winning for the team, something he credits to maturity.
In the Dodgers' 6-5 loss to a mainly minor league New York Mets team, on Sunday, Lowe started and pitched two scoreless innings with two strikeouts.
Koufax helps out: Former Dodgers great Sandy Koufax was at Dodgertown prior to the game to work with young left-hander Greg Miller. It was the second time this spring Koufax has worked with Miller, who split last season between Triple-A Las Vegas and Double-A Jacksonville.
"Miller has been very receptive" to Koufax's help, said manager Joe Torre. "He's just had some trouble taking it from there (bullpen) to the field. As a young pitcher, sometimes you over-think things. I think Sandy is just trying to simplify things for him."
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