"If Derek Lowe was pitching hurt Sunday, he wasn't going to say so or use it as an excuse after his poor performance against the Marlins.

After lasting a season-low three innings and gave up six hits, five runs and three walks, Lowe said only that he had a hard time gripping the ball properly.

The veteran right-hander shook his hand to his side at least twice between pitches, as if trying to loosen it. Afterward, he seemed uncomfortable when a reporter asked whether he had soreness or tightness.

"I don't know," said Lowe, who has always taken a lot of pride in being durable and making every start. "I'm not good at this [discussing health issues]. I don't know what to say."

Asked again what was wrong Sunday, if there was a physical reason for his problems, he said, "Nothing. I just didn't have good command. Bad pitching."

Lowe left trailing 5-1, but the Braves rallied with six runs in the last two innings for a 7-6 win. Lowe got no decision and is 2-7 with a 4.24 ERA in his past 13 starts, including 10 Braves losses."