Red Sox Lester is the Bester
In his third year with the Boston Red Sox, John Lester, cancer survivor, threw a no hitter against the Kansas City Royals. It was the first no-no by a Beantown lefty in 52 years. Last season, Clay Buckholtz threw a no-no. Lester’s no hit game made Jason Varitek unique. Tek is the only MLB catcher to ever anchor four no hitters!
Lester was 7- 2 over 15 starts in 2006 before he was diagnosed with lymphoma. In his first season back, he went 4- 0 in 11 starts with a 4.57 ERA. He started and won the fourth game of the World Series versus the Colorado Rockies when he pitched 5 and 2/3 shut out innings. That sealed the deal for the Red Sox as they won the 2007 championship in four games.
Now Lester, who is 24 years-old and has faced more than many twice his age, has done one of the most coveted things any baseball player at any level of ball can do—thrown a no-hitter.
Lester allowed just two runners and was helped by one fine play in centerfield when Jacoby Ellsbury made a diving catch on Jose Guilen’s sinking line drive. The game came to an end when Alberto Callaspo struck out looking on four pitches.
Fenway Park was rocking as Red Sox Nation looked on and cheered for the guy who had battled cancer and won. Lester had been mentioned in trade talks prior to the start of the season, but Boston was simply not interested in parting with the talented lefty.
In 11 starts this season, Lester is 3- 2 with a 3.41 ERA. Opponents are batting .229 against him. Bet on Lester to be a major force this season.
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Tags: Jason Varitek, Jon Lester, no-hitter, Red Sox
