For throwing a no-hitter in Fenway Park after surviving cancer:
BOSTON (AP) — Jon Lester has survived cancer and pitched a World Series clincher for the Boston Red Sox. Now he can add a no-hitter to his already amazing list of accomplishments. The 24-year-old lefty shut down Kansas City 7-0 Monday night for the first no-hitter in the majors since Red Sox rookie Clay Buchholz threw one last September.
It was Lester’s first major league complete game. And what a way to do it.
”You don’t feel tired in that situation. You’ve got so much adrenaline going,” he said. ”I’m sure it will hit me in the morning.”
Lester (3-2) allowed just two baserunners, walking Billy Butler in the second inning and Esteban German to open the ninth; he also had an error when he threw away a pickoff attempt.
Lester struck out nine, fanning Alberto Callaspo to end the game before pumping both fists in the air.
Catcher Jason Varitek, who has been behind the plate for a record four no-hitters, lifted his pitcher into the air. Manager Terry Francona gave a long, hard embrace to Lester, who missed the end of the 2006 season after he was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
”I’ve been through a lot the last couple of years. He’s been like a second dad to me,” Lester said. ”It was just a special moment right there.”
Good for you.
