Even before Mike Lowell came through with his double in the fifth inning Thursday night that drove in David Ortiz to win the game for the Red Sox, General Manager Theo Epstein offered a ray of hope that the veteran might stick around. "(Re-signing Lowell is) a priority for the offseason, and I?m sure we?ll be able to get something done," Epstein said of his pending free agent. "We have a desire to keep him here a long time. He?s a core member of the organization. It?s just not the time to talk about that." There is no evidence to suggest Lowell and the Sox suddenly have made progress on a long-term contract. Both parties yesterday stressed that this is the postseason, not the hot stove season. Of course, Lowell?s contribution last night certainly will help his already powerful free agent case with any team interested in securing his services. "I guess that?s good," Lowell said of Epstein?s confidence. "It sounds like I got an endorsement from the GM, but I really don?t know how to respond."