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Game Story: Lester returns, pitches Sox past Indians »
July 23, 2007
CLEVELAND _ It was fitting that Jon Lester returned to a major-league mound last night with Led Zeppelin’s ‘Whole ‘Lotta Love’ blasting from the sound system at Jacobs Field.
The 23-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox has received nothing but love and support from family, friends and teammates for the past 11 months as he’s successfully battled his way back from cancer.
His return, however, is not about the past. He doesn’t want to dwell on it. The Red Sox don’t, either. Lester’s return is about what lies ahead.
“I don’t disagree with that,” said Boston manager Terry Francona. “We thought he was a pretty special young man before all this transpired and all he’s been through. The way he handled it with the grace that he did, he’s a tough not to pull for.”
Lester worked six full innings, allowing just two runs five hits with three walks and six strikeouts to help Boston to a 6-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians. Lester surrendered a home run and hit a batter in the process, but overall he and the Sox were ecstatic about the emotional outing.
Lester received his on-field support early and often last night as the Red Sox scored four runs in the first inning, and pushed another across in the second for a 5-0 lead.
As the Indians began to creep back with a pair of runs via a two-run homer by Grady Sizemore in the bottom of the third inning, Lester proved he can still handle the pressure at this level when he ran into a bit of trouble in the bottom of the fourth.
He allowed a lead-off double to Ryan Garko before loading the bases with one out. The Indians’ Josh Barfield lined a chopper back to mound, which Lester handled and got the force at the plate for the second out. With the bases still juiced Lester picked up a huge strikeout when he blew 93 mph fastball by Sizemore to end the threat.
Red Sox reliever Julian Tavarez, who was sent to the bullpen yesterday due to Lester’s promotion from Pawtucket, began warming up. But, Lester didn’t need any help, yet.
He retired the side in order in the fifth, and allowed a one-out hit in the sixth before the Sox’ defense turned a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning and his outing. Reliever Mike Timlin entered the game in the seventh and worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings with one hit before Javier Lopez struck out the lone batter he faced as Manny Delcarmen recorded a strikeout to end the eighth.
The Sox added a bit of insurance in the top of the ninth as Dustin Pedroia posted his third hit of the game, an RBI-single to right-center field for a 6-2 advantage.
Prior to yesterday’s game there was a buzz around the Red Sox clubhouse for good reason.
“Of course,” said Francona when asked if he was excited about the situation. “I get jazzed up for anybody’s start. I think Jon is looking at this like ‘I need to go pitch my game and win.’ I know his mom and dad are here, I ran into them in the mall. I’m sure they have some unbelievable feelings, I don’t know what they are, but I bet it’s very emotional. Other than that, we just want to show up and win, and that’s even more of a tribute to Jon because he’s doing the same thing.”
The Red Sox will have some decisions to make when Curt Schilling (shoulder) returns to the rotation – possible on Aug. 6 at Anaheim – because lefty Kason Gabbard has been stellar since his recall from Pawtucket to replace the ailing veteran.
While concerned about the future of their pitching staff, the Red Sox just wanted to enjoy Lester’s return just like the rest of the baseball world and beyond.
“It's awesome," said Pedroia. "It's a huge lift for us. It's an unbelievable accomplishment just to be playing ball. I think everybody in baseball is excited for him. [One would think cancer] would suck the life out of him, but he beat everything. It’s awesome to see because he’s such a great guy and a great friend. Pitching-wise, he’s going to be great for a long time.”
He’s already there.
JOE McDONALD
Posted by Joe McDonald 
at 10:01 PM | Permalink
