Another challenge

Mark Lowe ('05) is battling to be the closer for the Mariners. He is also battling something else.

Battling for the closer's job with the Mariners was already enough to take up most of Mark Lowe's time. But the reliever has also been preoccupied with something far more serious as training camp progresses.

It was a year ago that, after a spring training blood test, Lowe was first told he had Type 2 adult onset diabetes. He spent the last year trying to control his blood-sugar levels through proper diet, but rapid weight loss and occasional fatigue have since led him to reconsider.

"It got me good this past offseason," Lowe said. "I lost like 12, 13 or 14 pounds from it."

Pills he began taking a month ago failed to keep his blood sugar completely in line, so Lowe met with his doctor recently and it was decided he'll now supplement his treatment with a daily insulin shot. Lowe insists that some of his poor results this spring are unrelated to his condition. As if to back that up, he took the mound Friday and turned in one of his best performances.

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