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April 5, 2007
AP photo / Mary Ann Chastain
Jon Lester pitches for the Greenville Drive on Thursday against the RiverDogs in Charleston, S.C.
If Jon Lester stays this sharp, it shouldn't take him long to return to Fenway Park.
Lester made his first start of the year Thursday night for the Class-A Greenville Drive as he attempts to return to Boston's rotation after an offseason of cancer treatments and uncertainty. He shut out the New York Yankees' affiliate, the Charleston RiverDogs, on one hit over four innings before coming out.
It was a promising start for Lester, diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma late last season. Lester, 23, had established himself as a rookie a year ago, going 7-2 with a 4.76 ERA. However, in August, doctors found his cancer, which had attacked his body's lymph system.
Lester underwent six chemotherapy treatments between the discovery and Dec. 21, then reported to Boston's training camp in early February — about two weeks ahead of the due date — to work his way back.
Tests show he is cancer-free. Still, the Red Sox didn't want to rush Lester back. He didn't pitch in a major league exhibition game, only facing minor league competition.
Last week, Lester was sent to Greenville, where he's expected to make at least four starts.
The big left-hander was on target against the RiverDogs, throwing 37 of his 54 pitches for strikes. Lester hit 96 mph at one point, according to Charleston's scoreboard, and kept the young Yankees off stride.
Austin Jackson, the second batter Lester faced, swung wildly at strike three. Lester closed the second inning by striking out Josue Calzado, then opened the next inning by doing the same to Jose Gil.
Charleston second baseman Wilmer Pino had the hardest shot against Lester, a liner into right-center that looked it would fall but Greenville center fielder Jon Eagan made a sliding catch.
Lester struck out five of the 15 batters he faced and gave up only one walk.
The only RiverDogs hit came on Chris Malec's slow roller to into the hole between first and second in the fourth inning. Lester, though, ended things a batter later by striking out Eduardo Nunez.
--AP
Posted by Corey Bourassa 
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