NO-HITTER for Jon Lester

Subject: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Mon May 19, 2008 8:55 pm

Jon Lester has just no-hit the Kansas City Royals.

bow

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Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Mon May 19, 2008 8:59 pm

BOX>
Lester hurls 18th Red Sox no-no
Southpaw allows just two free passes to the Royals

BOSTON -- There was never a question about Jon Lester's poise or his promising arsenal of pitches. It's just that he never put it all together quite like Monday night, when he thrilled the Fenway Park faithful -- not to mention his teammates -- by throwing a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals.

The Boston lefty was magnificent, walking just two batters while leading the Red Sox to a 7-0 victory over the Royals.

Instead of tiring, Lester only got stronger as the night wore on. Over the final five innings, it seemed the Royals were struggling just to make solid contact.

Not only was this Lester's first no-hitter, but it was also his first complete game.

And it was the second no-hitter in as many seasons for the Sox. Clay Buchholz, a product of the Red Sox's farm system just like Lester, did the honors last Sept. 1 against the Orioles.

The Red Sox have had four no-hitters in the 21st century. Hideo Nomo threw one in Baltimore in 2001, and Derek Lowe no-hit the Rays in '02. Of those four no-hitters, only Nomo's took place away from Fenway Park.

Jason Varitek caught all four, tying Ray Schalk of the White Sox for the Major League record.

Lester didn't need much in the way of offensive support, but the Red Sox gave him plenty to work with by breaking out for five runs in the bottom of the third.

With runners at the corners and nobody out, the first run came home on a 5-4-3 double-play ball off the bat of Julio Lugo. Jacoby Ellsbury instantly started a new rally, belting a triple to center. Luke Hochevar then melted down with his control, walking three straight batters. The third to Manny Ramirez forced in a run. Mike Lowell followed with a popup to second that turned into a nightmare for the Royals. Mark Grudzielanek dropped the ball, allowing two runs to score. Kevin Youkilis made it 5-0 with a ground-rule double to right.

What was striking about Lester was how easily he was getting through the Kansas City lineup. His control was impeccable, and just about all of the outs were routine. Only a terrific diving catch by Ellsbury to rob Jose Guillen at the end of the fourth inning stood out from a defensive standpoint.
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Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Mon May 19, 2008 9:01 pm

Congratulations to Lester on his no-hitter!
Despite playing for Boston, it's hard to root against Lester....

Spoiler:
	BOO Red Sox!

Spoiler:
	It isn't hard to root against the Red Sox though

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Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Mon May 19, 2008 9:27 pm

That is awesome!!! Good for him - I'm glad it wasn't against the Tigers!

Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Mon May 19, 2008 9:43 pm

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Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Mon May 19, 2008 11:37 pm

4 no hitters for the Red Sox since 2001

Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Mon May 19, 2008 11:44 pm

Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Tue May 20, 2008 12:32 am

Lester! I don't care, you can't ever not be impressed with a no-hitter, 'cept when it's pitched against us, then you are allowed to rant

Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Tue May 20, 2008 1:35 am

Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Tue May 20, 2008 9:20 am

Especially since he overcame the cancer he was diagnosed with not that long ago.
and ESPECIALLY doin' it to the ROYALS!
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There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Tue May 20, 2008 9:27 am

Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Tue May 20, 2008 1:55 pm

No-hitter a record fourth for Varitek
Red Sox catcher enters history books with Lester in Boston
By Mike Petraglia / Special to MLB.com

BOSTON -- Even for someone who has now caught more Major League no-hitters than anyone in history, Monday's night gem by Jon Lester was still very special and unique to Jason Varitek.

"This was a weird one," Varitek said. "I didn't really know he had a no-hitter until the eighth. I looked up in the seventh and saw that he was around 100 pitches and he did his job. I glanced in the bullpen and saw nobody warming up and thought that was weird."

Entering Monday's contest, Varitek and 12 other big league catchers had the distinction of catching three no-hitters in their careers.

The moment Kansas City's Alberto Callaspo swung and missed at Lester's 130th pitch, Varitek stood all alone in the history books.

"The fact that he's caught four in his career, the only catcher to ever do that, that's a team effort," Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell said. "Jason has a huge impact on what goes on. Certainly, Jon threw every pitch, but Jason's guidance certainly got him to that point."

Ever since he assumed the Red Sox's full-time catching duties in 1999, Varitek has commanded the respect and admiration of every pitcher from Pedro Martinez to Curt Schilling to Josh Beckett.

And before Monday night, he caught no-hitters from Hideo Nomo in 2001, Derek Lowe in '02 and Clay Buchholz last Sept. 1.

"It also says he's caught some very good pitchers," Farrell said. "I think the most important thing is that I think every pitcher that walks to the mound has the utmost confidence in what he calls, and we're fortunate to have him here."

But ask Varitek about the job Lester did to come back from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and he'll tell you catching this no-hitter may have meant more than any other.

"I'm very fortunate," Varitek said. "It's so exciting to be part of one as a catcher. Each one's so different. The work that Jonny Lester's had to do -- to be able to be part of something like that with him is totally different. Each one has been totally different, but Jonny keeps working to become more complete, and he's working his way to becoming that way."

Varitek, as he always does, did his best work as the game moved along, helping Lester overcome a bullpen session beforehand that left the southpaw feeling less than confident about his stuff.

But calling a game that featured Lester's curve and high fastballs mixed in with a steady stream of the lefty's signature cut-fastball, Varitek helped his pitcher find a rhythm as the game unfolded.

"[Lester is] someone who's got what I would consider a photographic memory, and ... he retains the information that goes on inside a game and how he's attacked the same hitters -- first, second, third and fourth time through the lineup," Farrell said.

It was somewhat ironic when Callaspo, batting for the first time since entering the game as a replacement for American League batting leader Mark Grudzielanek, swung and missed at a four-seam fastball clocked at 94 mph for the final out.

Varitek simply pumped his fist in the air and rushed out to congratulate his pitcher after not allowing a hit, something the Red Sox's captain has done that more than any catcher in Major League history.
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Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Tue May 20, 2008 2:09 pm

130 pitches clap

Now if he (and everyone) could do 130-150 a night we'd be in business!
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Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Tue May 20, 2008 3:08 pm

He was on fire last night!
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There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Mon May 26, 2008 1:51 pm

Guest

Go LESTER!

You have offically moved up in my Red Sox favorite player rankings.

1. Beckett
2. Ellsbury
3. Lester
4. Papelbon
5. Pedroia

Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Tue May 27, 2008 1:10 pm

Guest

Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Tue May 27, 2008 7:25 pm

Papelbon is evil!

Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Tue May 27, 2008 7:25 pm

EVIL!

Guest

He sure is evil!

Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Wed May 28, 2008 9:38 am

Those birds don't like him whistle

It's people like him that cause stuff like in the movie The Birds to happen. A bird already attacked someone at Fenway this year. Apparently birds can't tell the difference between Papelbon and women touring Fenway. That's just bad news for everyone else - they're all at risk!
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Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Wed May 28, 2008 10:00 am

Guest

Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Thu May 29, 2008 5:12 pm

They outta shoot that Hawk!

I would!

Subject: Re: NO-HITTER for Jon Lester Thu May 29, 2008 6:11 pm

Guest