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Game story: Lester solid in PawSox' 3-2 victory

PAWTUCKET -- PawSox manager Ron Johnson said prior to Jon Lester’s start last night, the Red Sox organization was just looking for another solid outing from the young left-hander.

Lester delivered.

In his fourth rehab start for the PawSox this season, he worked five solid innings and allowed just one run on three hits with one walk and one strikeout. His scheduled allotment of work was originally set at 70-75 pitches or five innings, which ever came first. He finished with 65 pitches (39 strikes) and showed no ill effects. He’s expected to pitch again for the PawSox on Tuesday against Columbus at McCoy.

The 23-year-old pitcher is working his way back to Boston after he was diagnosed with cancer last August. During his minor-league rehab stint in Single-A Greenville and with the PawSox, he’s been on target, but recently suffered a setback when he experienced cramping in his throwing forearm in his previous start on May 2.

“I felt good,” said Lester after Pawtucket’s 3-2 victory over Syracuse last night. “The forearm felt good; everything felt good. My legs were under me after going five innings, so it’s getting betting. Now I just need to get up to 90-100 pitches and see where we’re at then and go from there.”

The southpaw was able to throw his fastball, curveball and change-up without any problems, but he stayed away from the cutter, the pitch that he thinks caused the tightness in his forearm.

“They said I could throw a couple in the first inning,” admitted Lester. “But we decided I didn’t want to mess around with it, so I just went out and pitched and didn’t worry about it. My mechanics felt good. Everything is starting to feel real good. Everything is clicking and it’s consistent.”

In his four rehab starts for the PawSox, Lester has allowed just three runs in 16 2/3 innings of work with a 1.62 E.R.A.

“I thought he did a great job,” said Johnson. “He was pitch-efficient for his five innings. The bottom line is he felt great before and he felt great afterwards. It’s really good to see.”

During his previous start on Saturday in Ottawa, he retired the final 10 batters he faced. Last night he retired the first 11 hitters for a total of 21straight. Also, he's only allowed six earned runs in 29 2/3 innings of work in his seven minor-league rehab starts this season.

“He really threw the ball well in Ottawa,” said Johnson. “He was free and easy with good velocity and a good breaking ball. I liked what I saw.”

Probably the most impressive aspect of his outing north of the border last weekend was the fact he took the bus with the rest of the team. He didn’t have to do that, he could have easily met the club in Ottawa after a flight, but acted as a true professional.

“I know he was very excited to be with us and he enjoyed the trip as much as anybody else,” said Johnson. “Jon enjoys his normalcy being around the club. He wants to be a part of the team.”

After his second rehab appearance with the PawSox on May 2, when he experienced cramping in his left forearm and suffered a set back, the Red Sox decided it would be best Lester join the parent club to continue his rehab until he was ready to start again.

During that start against Indianapolis where he experienced the tightness, everyone involved didn’t think too much of it.

“We didn’t know anything was wrong until he came out and said he had a cramp,” said Johnson. “To be honest, I didn’t think much of it. It’s different when a guy comes in and says ‘oh I felt something here.’ But he wasn’t that type.”

In the meantime, Lester threw his side sessions in Boston as he prepared for his seventh rehab start of the season last night.

“He’s a young valuable commodity for us,” said Johnson. “He deserves the opportunity to get himself back on track at his pace and we’re going to follow that.”

--JOE McDONALD

Posted by Chris Venditto  at 10:55 PM to PawSox | Permalink | Comments 1

Final: Pawtucket 3, Syracuse 2

The PawSox won thier second consecutive game as David Murphy provided the winning RBI-single in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ed Rogers hit a solo home run for the PawSox.

Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester was solid in his fourth rehab appearance for Pawtucket, allowing one run on three hits with one walk and one strikeout. He thew 65 pitches (39 strikes).

We'll have more in a bit . . .

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 9:33 PM | Permalink

Lester done after five innings

Jon Lester just completed his rehab start with the PawSox. He allowed one run -- an RBI-double -- on three hits with one strikeout and one walk. The left-hander threw 65 pitches (39 strikes) and was very efficient.

During his previous start in Ottawa on Saturday, he retired the final 10 batters he faced. Tonight he retired the first 11 hitters for a total of 21straight. Also, he's only allowed six earned runs in 29 2/3 innings of work for the PawSox this season.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 8:07 PM | Permalink

Lester in the fourth

Lester allowed a two-out single, but struck out the next batter to close out the fourth inning. He threw 14 pitches (nine strikes) and the left-hander is up to 44 pitches. He looks sharp.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 7:54 PM | Permalink

Lester in the third

Lester is still perfect after three innings. Again, he retires the side in order and he threw 13 pitches (eight strikes). He's up to 30 pitches.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 7:33 PM | Permalink

Lester in the second

Again, Lester retires the side in order, throwing six pitches (five strikes). He's up to 17 pitches and is scheduled to throw 70-75 or five innings.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 7:20 PM | Permalink

Lester in the first

Lester retires the side in order, throwing 11 pitches (seven strikes). The left-hander reached 92 on the gun and looks sharp. He wants to work on his cutter tonight, but is only allowed to use the pitch sparingly.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 7:04 PM | Permalink

Lester preparing for another rehab start in Pawtucket

Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester will start for the PawSox tonight against Syracuse and the left-hander is slated to throw 70-75 pitches or five innings. We'll have inning-by-inning updates. . .

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 6:58 PM | Permalink

Coco Crisp on The Score: A-Rod apologized to Pedroia (audio clip available)

On his weekly appearance on Sportsbeat with Scott Cordischi and Bryan Morry, the Red Sox' Coco Crisp said today that Alex Rodriguez apologized to Dustin Pedroia for his hard slide into second base Tuesday night.

''I know we [saw] Alex Rodriguez coming out [of] the [batting] cage [on Wednesday night] and, you know, he kind of apoligized to Pedey for it.

''Sometimes things happen in the course of the game . . . [and afterwards] you're like, 'Dang, why the heck did I do that? That was stupid.' And I'm sure that he understood that, because he's been in the game a long time, you know, longer than me and Pedey put together. He probably understood that he shouldn't have done that. He's trying to play hard. He probably won't do it again. Hopefully. At least not against us.''

Listen to the clip here, and listen to Sportsbeat with Scott Cordischi and Bryan Morry today between 3 and 7 p.m. for the complete Coco Crisp interview.

Posted by Art Martone  at 3:22 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

Projo SoxTalk with McAdam: Tough nights for Schilling and Roger

Once again, Sean McAdam is Art Martone's guest on today's edition of Projo SoxTalk. Click here to listen to the full audio file. After a rough night in the Bronx, he discusses the concerns about Curt Schilling's recent ineffectiveness. On the flip side of the coin, he talks about Roger Clemens' unspectacular outing in Texas, and about what J.D. Drew might expect at Fenway if he doesn't start hitting soon. Here are some excerpts:

On whether Schilling is concerned about his performances: "I think he should be. For much of his career, he has succeeded by being able to locate his fastball with incredible precision. He just has pinpoint control, and not only does that get him ahead in the count and put hitters on the defensive and in pitcher's counts, but it also makes all his other pitches, particularly his split-finger, work much better. But when he isn't able to establish the fastball for strikes, he's really working at a disadvantage, as we've seen the last few times out."

On Clemens last night: "Anyone expecting that Roger Clemens is going to hop back in here and be throwing 94-95, I think they're in for sort of a rude awakening, because his velocity seemed to be pretty average, and obviously in that first inning when he walked in a run, his command was not what it should be."

On Drew: "We talked about Cleveland coming in next week, and that of course means the return of Trot Nixon. And if Drew doesn't start kicking it into gear over this weekend in Texas, and Nixon, who was always a very popular player, comes back in next weekend, it could start getting a little uncomfortable for Drew."

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 11:47 AM to Martone , McAdam | Permalink

Julian Tavarez's Manny T-shirt

Apparently Julian Tavarez, that personification of "great teammate," has added a Manny Ramirez T-shirt to a wardrobe that already included David Ortiz loafers.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 10:15 AM to Projo Mannybeingmanny | Permalink