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Untouchable: Lester Tosses No-No

The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 20, 2008

BOSTON - Jon Lester can now add pitching a no-hitter to his already amazing list of accomplishments.

The 24-year-old lefty, who survived cancer to pitch the World Series clincher for the Boston Red Sox last fall, shut down Kansas City 7-0 Monday night for the first no-hitter in the majors this season.

"Really, words can't describe it right now," Lester said.

Lester allowed just two base runners, walking Billy Butler in the second inning and Esteban German to open the ninth.

Lester struck out nine, fanning Alberto Callaspo to end the game before pumping both fists in the air. It was Lester's first major-league complete game.

Catcher Jason Varitek, who has been behind the plate for a record four no-hitters, lifted his pitcher into the air.

Then Lester, who missed the end of the 2006 season after he was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, met Manager Terry Francona met for a long, hard embrace.

"He just said he was proud of me," Lester said. "I've been through a lot the last couple of years. He's been like a second dad to me. It was just a special moment right there."

Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury made a diving catch of Jose Guillen's line drive to end the fourth - the best defensive play of the night. Lester also got help from first baseman Kevin Youkilis, who made a nice scoop on shortstop Julio Lugo's throw after David DeJesus hit a grounder in the third.

The fans at Fenway Park really got into it for the final out of the seventh, rising to their feet when Lester fanned Guillen on a 93-mph fastball. They remained standing for the entire ninth inning, even as German walked and moved around to third base when Tony Pena and DeJesus grounded out.

With flashes popping, Callaspo fell behind 0-2. He fouled one off and took a ball before reaching for an outside 1-2 fastball to end the game.

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