Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester held the Kansas City Royals without a hit in a 7-0 victory Monday at Fenway Park, the first no-hitter of the baseball season.

It's the first no-hitter in the Major Leagues since Sept. 1, 2007 when another Boston pitcher, Clay Bucholz, no-hit Baltimore in a 10-0 Red Sox victory.

Lester, a 24-year-old left-hander, survived cancer to pitch the clincher of Boston's 2007 World Series victory. It was the 18th no-hitter in Red Sox history.

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

Lester (3-2) allowed just two baserunners, walking Billy Butler in the second inning and Esteban German to open the ninth. He struck out nine, including Alberto Callaspo to end the game.

Lester, who battled lymphoma before the 2007 season, and manager Terry Francona met for a long, hard embrace when it was over.

"I've been through a lot the past couple years and he's been like a second dad to me,'' Lester said.

Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury made a diving catch of Jose Guillen's line drive to end the fourth -- the best defensive play of the game. 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.

Mel Parnell was the last Red Sox lefty to throw a no-hitter, beating the Chicago White Sox on July 14, 1956.

Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan is the only other person in history to no-hit the Royals.

--ASSOCIATED PRESS

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