The M.O. around Fire Brand Land has been this: to be a solid major league pitcher Jon Lester must be consistent.
Tonight, he was anything but inconsistent throwing his first no-hitter of his career against the Kansas City Royals.
Lester had never even thrown a complete game in the majors, but Lester completed the no-hitter against the Royals on 130 pitches, two walks, and nine strikeouts.
After the fifth inning anyone with a baseball IQ could sense something magical happening especially by taking peeks at the radar gun. Lester was throwing in the low 90’s in the beginning of the game and every inning his velocity was increasing with better control. The fifth inning marked some pitches at 93 m.p.h. then as his outing progressed Lester threw 95 in the seventh inning and to close out the no-no he blew a 96 m.p.h. heater past Alberto Callaspo.
| While Lester was the story last night, the game was over long before it became apparent that history might be in the making. —Royals Authority |
With the no-hitter Jason Varitek became the first major league catcher in baseball history to catch four no-hitters. Tek also pitched in on offense in the Boston 7-0 win with two RBI’s on a homerun in the seventh inning of off Royals starter Luke Hochevar.
Jacoby Ellsbury also saved the no-no with a diving catch on a sinking liner in the game.
Star of the Game: Lester
First career no-hitter for Lester. Congratulations Jon Lester.
Preview of Next Game:
I do not care about the next game right now. Let us just live in this moment of Lester’s amazing accomplishment.
Video Highlights:
Game Recap
Lester’s Reaction
Baseball Tonight breaks down the significance
Last pitch, reaction from fans and reporters
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This is a special night, but not just “one night”. Tonight, and in his latest outings, including the recent eight inning shutout, he demonstrated continuing progress, decrease in walks, increase in control. He has been getting increasingly stronger in later innings every game. He is all the way back now.
This is the real deal, the fully recovered, strong, confident and healthy Big Jon Lester can pitch. There will be no regression now. Like Becket or Santana or Bedard, all his outings won’t be perfect, but you can take bets that he is now at the next level.
Is this premature? Not at all. Although just 24, and with barely enough games to total a whole season, this is his 3rd year in the majors, and he knows his way around, and with his personal odyssey, knows himself better than most his age.
His overall record in the Majors is now 15 and 4. His ERA and WHIP continue to shrink. He is becoming a dominant pitcher, and he makes Becket, Daisuke, Big Jon a formidable and even scary front end. Time to really celebrate.
You know what’s funny? He nearly pitched one last month when he went 8 shut out innings of one hit ball against the Jays and I wondered if he’d ever actually do it.
I’ve always said he has great stuff, he only needs to grow a pair and it looks like he’s finally done that! Of course it’s a lot easy to have a pair when you’re feeling healthy and throwing 95 in the 9th, as opposed to feeling sick and only throwing 91-93 in the 1st.
And 91-93 is probably being a little generous. He was more often 89-91.
Well he was certainly low 90’s none the less in the beginning of the game anyhow. Definitely cranked it up as it went onward.
P.S. – I absolutely loved Francona’s comments on Lester’s no-no. You go ahead and be selfish Francona because he kind of is like your kid. We can all see that.
I’ve said it before … it can’t hurt to say it again … As fans we want our pitchers to come out and throw gems every night … its only natural … especially when we know they can throw a gem at any time …so when they stink it up and give up 6 runs we go crazy and run them into the ground … thats not gonna stop any time soon lol but I think sometimes we have to remember … these guys have bad days … and just cuz they do doesn’t mean they suck (unless they’re Lugo of course) … we have to understand that and be patient sometimes … because, as we learned tonight, you never really know when someone is gonna show a little brilliance
I never would’ve expected to see this out of Lester tonight but it’s unbelievable to watch this guy grow and fight … He may never be the most consistent top pitcher on our staff … he may never even be worthy of a #2 hole … but he has the talent … and man does he have the spirit … to be a big part of this team for a very long time
Good job Jon
Francona’s postgame hug and press conference almost brought me to tears. You could see he was so undescribably (word?) proud for Lester and all he has been through over the last 2 years, babbling on like a proud dad. Just a great night at Fenway- Lester and Buchholz throw no-hitters within a span of 3.5 months. You think Theo’s happy?
Does Lester make the leap now? Has he arrived? Can he finally control his command and become a #2? The days ahead we shall find out.
My post for today will be up this afternoon…I want to dig a little deeper into Lester’s performance…and also give this comment thread it’s just reward of the top spot for a little longer.
Just a fantastic story all around. From Tito and Lester, to Varitek, to Ellsbury’s catch…
I think the last night proved one thing…when pitching from ahead, Lester can be devastating.
Hopefully Anthony Rizzo was able to watch that game last night. I’ve been defending lester for some time and was estatic but not surprised (given health and 20 lbs) to see him sitting at 93 and touching 94 most of the season but last night was amazed to see how many 95 and 96 readings there were. His knee-high control was amazing to watch and when he elevated he was that much more effective as it changed the hitters plane. You’ve always heard how serious this kid took takes the game and so while many people were concerned about the walks and his control I had no doubt he would bring it down to an acceptable level with his preparation and demeanor. I imagine he’ll always have blips where he walks more then you want but this kid should have not trouble being a great #3.
I’m tempted to see what Minnesota fans must be thinking about their GM…hopefully Masterson causes them additional stress tonight.
Varitek is the first catcher to catch four no hitters (Lester, Clay, Lowe, Nomo)
Yeah Tim, I think last night proved your point completely, he got a ahead of 20 of 29 batters and look at the result. What makes him so good when he commands the fastball is that all his pitches look the same coming out of his hand so hitters have lesss time to identify, since his curve is pretty big and slow it can be hard to throw for a strike, but if he’s established the fastball and gotten ahead then he can get guys to swing and miss on the curve. I think he may be starting to get that he’s a power pitcher not a nibbler. Walk totals from his last 3 starts are 1, 2, and 2. Small sample I know, but the Kid has to start somewhere.
Lester: 2
Cancer: 0
Who is ready for the Boston Red Sox to go on a big tear now? I am because this will be looked back on as the turning point in this Red Sox season.
Lester’s no-hitter was a great moment not just for baseball, but for all of sports as well.
What a performance.
Didn’t see that Varitek info at the bottom of the article, my apologies.
Young pitchers throwing no-nos, patriots falling 1 game short of a perfect record, C’s having the best turn-around in nba history and headin’ to the conference finals, Red sox winning 2 WS in 4 years, thank you allah you’ve been so good to me and here’s my wish-list for the rest of the season:
back-to-back AL ROY awards (very possible),
a Cy Young for Dice-k(possible),
an MVP for manny (less likely but possible)
the 2008 WS (depends from the wish below)
Julio Lugo “visiting” Tunisia during ASG break!!!
Shawn,
the turning point will be lugo payin’ me a visit!!!!
Kevin R, your comment in #12 is sheer win.
Radiohix, believe you me, here in Boston we are working on that. Lugo’s a clever fellow so we’re digging deep to trick him to Tunisia.
Jaredk that is A-ok and Lugo always has to come up somewhere in these posts. Can you imagine if someone notched an infield hit on him yesterday if he held the ball too long before throwing it … can you imagine the backlash?
eek.
After beating cancer the no hitter was probably easy. All I can say is WOW! It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.
As much credit as both Lester and Varitek deserve, I believe the unsung heroes of this accomplishment, and the last three no hitters before, are Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo (Maybe Sean McDonough for one). Our hometown announcers have successfully not jinxed four starting pitchers while national announcers would mention the forbidden words as early as the sixth inning. Salute!
Chip, don’t forget how vital the Royals and their teamwork came into play last night. Only a team full of heart coming together to support a fellow teammate through his struggles could have done something as extraordinarily mundane.
http://grittyandclutch.blogspot.com/2008/05/royals-show-solidarity-for-struggling.html