Article:Lester tosses first Sox Lefty No-No since 1956

Jon Lester became the first Red Sox southpaw to toss a no-no since 1956 when Mel Parnell through one. Lester threw a lot of pitches (130) but only walked two. The Red Sox provided plenty of support for the young lefty but he only needed one run, the Sox got the 7-0 win to bring their win streak up to four games. Lester allowed just the two walks while he struck out nine Royals. He also faced just two batters over the minimum, limiting the Royals to just 29 at bats. With the win Lester improves his record to 3-2. He becomes the Second Sox pitcher to throw a no hitter since Clay Buchholz did it all the way back on September 1st of last season.

The Red Sox bats were quieter than Sunday’s 11-7 win over the Brewers but still produced 7 runs on just five hits. Kansas City starter Luke Hochevar did not fair as well as the Sox lefty as he gave up 7 runs on five hits in six innings, just four of the runs were earned, and he gave up six walks as well. Manny Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis, and Jason Varitex had the RBI’s for the Sox. Two runs also scored when Mike Lowell popped up to Mark Grudzielanek who had the ball blow backwards on him and drop it allowing both Pedroia and Ortiz to score. Manny’s RBI came when he walked with the bases loaded in the third. Julio Lugo also drove in a run in the third when he hit into a double play (what he does best), but in the box score he did not receive credit for an RBI. Youk drove in a run on a ground rule double, also in the third. And Jason Varitex finished off the scoring the scoring when he pulled a homer down the left field line in the sixth, his fifth of the season.

Jon Lester benefited from some great Red Sox defense to help preserve the no-no. Jacoby Ellsbury, who also stole two bases, had a great diving catch in the fourth inning. Mike Lowell also made a nice play in the ninth to get the first out and Kevin Youkilis turned a routine play that seemed like a huge play for the second out, before Lester struck out the last Royal he would have to face to complete his no hitter. Lester is a cancer survivor and just like every other ball player he works extremely hard and he really earned this piece of Red Sox history. He was almost part of a deal that would of brought Johan Santana to Fenway, but tonight Red Sox fans everywhere are asking; Johan who? Lester is young and powerful and looks to become a key piece of the Red Sox rotation for many years to come.

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