armchairgm
all sports, all you
+ Add Friends
You are not logged-in.
Sign Up - Log In
Main Page
Sports
Write
Articles
Hot Links
Images
Meet People
Fun
Explore
MLB - NFL - NBA - NHL - College Basketball - College Football - Soccer - Nascar - Other
Article - Locker Room Discussion
All Articles - New Articles - Today's Articles
Submit a Link - Approve Links
Picture Game - Ratings - Polls - Pick Game - Quiz Game - Spring Silliness
Random Page - Random Image - Random Fan

About the Author

Smmonroe2
I am studying journalism at Lyndon State College, a small school in northern Vermont. I love sports and enjoy writing. I hope to some day be a sports writer for a decent newspaper or work for ESPN. http://www.sammonroe.net

More By Smmonroe2

Eastern Conference All-Stars
6 votes, 7 comments
Belichick helpers
10 votes, 9 comments
Around the NHL 12/1-12/7
5 votes, 0 comments
View All

Other recent contributors

Make this page better by editing it.

Other recent voters

If you like the article, vote for it.
Edit
Page history Discuss pageWhat links here

Lester tosses first Sox Lefty No-No since 1956

by Smmonroe2
created May 20, 2008, last edited February 10, 2009
21
Vote

Jon Lester became the first Red Sox southpaw to toss a no-no since 1956 when Mel Parnell through one. Lester threw a lot of pitches (130) but only walked two. The Red Sox provided plenty of support for the young lefty but he only needed one run, the Sox got the 7-0 win to bring their win streak up to four games. Lester allowed just the two walks while he struck out nine Royals. He also faced just two batters over the minimum, limiting the Royals to just 29 at bats. With the win Lester improves his record to 3-2. He becomes the first Sox pitcher to throw a no hitter since Clay Buchholz did it all the way back on September 1st of last season.

The Red Sox bats were quieter than Sunday’s 11-7 win over the Brewers but still produced 7 runs on just five hits. Kansas City starter Luke Hochevar did not fair as well as the Sox lefty as he gave up 7 runs on five hits in six innings, just four of the runs were earned, and he gave up six walks as well. Manny Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis, and Jason Varitek had the RBI’s for the Sox. Two runs also scored when Mike Lowell popped up to Mark Grudzielanek who had the ball blow backwards on him and drop it allowing both Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz to score. Manny’s RBI came when he walked with the bases loaded in the third. Julio Lugo also drove in a run in the third when he hit into a double play (what he does best), but in the box score he did not receive credit for an RBI. Youk drove in a run on a ground rule double, also in the third. And Jason Varitex finished off the scoring the scoring when he pulled a homer down the left field line in the sixth, his fifth of the season.

Jon Lester benefited from some great Red Sox defense to help preserve the no-no. Jacoby Ellsbury, who also stole two bases, had a great diving catch in the fourth inning. Mike Lowell also made a nice play in the ninth to get the first out and Kevin Youkilis turned a routine play that seemed like a huge play for the second out, before Lester struck out the last Royal he would have to face to complete his no hitter. Lester is a cancer survivor and just like every other ball player he works extremely hard and he really earned this piece of Red Sox history. He was almost part of a deal that would have brought Johan Santana to Fenway, but tonight Red Sox fans everywhere are asking; Johan who? Lester is young and powerful and looks to become a key piece of the Red Sox rotation for many years to come.

As seen on my blog

Enable Comment Auto-Refresher
Bobbyjim45Draft Pick
558 days ago
Score 8+-
After what he's gone through, it was great to see Lester pull this off tonight.
Permalink | Reply
KelsdadAll-Star
558 days ago
Score 8+-
That's fackin' awesome, congratulations Jon!!
Permalink | Reply
Cougar2000All-American
558 days ago
Score 1+-
Great read, Smmonroe2. Given what he went through, it's a good thing for him and the Red Sox. ESPN cut away through part of the Chicago-Houston game to show the ninth inning but it was worth it. Lester is one of those feel-good stories and you did a fine job with this.
Permalink | Reply
Agent0Red-Shirting
558 days ago
Score 4+-
Hey Conrgats to John, especially doing this after overcoming cancer...

To tell you the truth I wasn't expecting anyone on AGM to cover the no-hitter...I mean him being a Red Sox and our lack of Boston faithfuls
Permalink | Reply
RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
558 days ago
Score 2+-
You never know what you're gonna see in a baseball game, and that's what makes this sport so great. A guy who had never even thrown a complete game tosses a no-no. What's great about this no-hitter was that even non-Boston fans and people who don't even like baseball can celebrate it. Congratulations, Jon! Funny how he has no H in his name, and now no hits in a game.
Permalink | Reply
Tej8722JV Squad
558 days ago
Score 2+-
Great story, great accomplishment. Wasn't he one of the guys the Twins could have had for Santana?
Permalink | Reply
RomiezzoLegend
558 days ago
Score 2+-
This is truly a great accomplishment. I can't imagine how overwhelming this feels for him, his parents, and the Red Sox. He's unbelievable. He is a fighter, and someone who never quits. He sets an example for what perserverance really is. Way to go, Lester. YOU ARE THE MAN!
Permalink | Reply
RomiezzoLegend
558 days ago
Score 1+-
#31 This user is a Jon Lester fan.
Permalink
RomiezzoLegend
558 days ago
Score 3+-
BTW, did you guys know that this is Jason Varitek's 4th no hitter caught. That's a record. Congrats to V-Tek as well.
Permalink
JuTMSY4Legend
558 days ago
Score 2+-
is this the baseball equivilent to being Robert Horry? well...minus the douchiness?
Permalink
JuTMSY4Legend
558 days ago
Score 4+-
So once again I embraced the Boston media regarding this story...

Lester pitched a no-no...that's great. and with his story its even better

But the fact of the matter is, he's got just about 1 full season of pitching under his belt and has a 4.3 ERA...

Johan Santana is working on his 7th full season and has a 3.2 career ERA...

Jacoby Ellsbury has played essentially 1/2 of a season and is batting .312...and all signs point to a good glove and fast feet

That being said, the Red Sox did not show the twins by not trading those two for Santana...

The Twins are one of the smarter organization in baseball...and they've traded away prime time players before to get big returns...

Moving what has appeared to be a mediocre pitcher for the best pitcher in the league would not be wise...especially with other offers on the table...(Oh Mets fans...let me know how it works out in 5 years)

and no, Santana wouldn't have no-hit the royals, because he'd be the #1 or #2 in the rotation...he'd have just started ; - )
Permalink | Reply
RomiezzoLegend
558 days ago
Score 3+-
I agree with you there, JuT. Good point.

Just because Jacoby Ellsbury and Jon Lester are still with the Red Sox doesn't mean that they were better off without Santana.

As far as the Mets go, I'd like to see what will happen in 2-3 years. Johan's stats are already declining, and the Twins realized that. And since they had to face some very tough competition in their division (or at least what we thought during the offseason) in the Tigers and Indians, the Twins decided to build and got 4 very good young talent prospects (not sure if they all are) out of it.
Permalink
JuTMSY4Legend
558 days ago
Score 2+-
and the twins were playing the bidding war game...which is all the better when the sox and yanks are involved...and the mets can't hurt either...
Permalink
RomiezzoLegend
558 days ago
Score 1+-
Exactly. Trading with the opposing league you're in is definitely a plus. I wonder how the Twins will do in a couple of years.
Permalink
Smmonroe2Varsity Captain
558 days ago
Score 1+-
I was not saying the sox are better off without Johan I am just saying, it is remarkable that lester did this, to tell you the truth i have no idea why i put in the Santana thing
Permalink
JuTMSY4Legend
558 days ago
Score 2+-
i wasn't either SM...i was just noting that a few boston media outlets were... Unless you work for the globe...
Permalink
RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer
558 days ago
Score 1+-
Boston media and fans tend to take a short sample, use it to generalize as if it were a large sample, then fall in love with a player, players, or even a move. Rico Brogna, Butch Huskey, Doug Mirabelli, Gabe Kapler. Lester had a great game last night, but by no means does that mean he's better than Johan Santana. Hideo Nomo has 2 no-hitters, Greg Maddux doesn't have any, which is the better pitcher? And Santana's stats were declining? I guess technically that's true, but his last year in Minnesota he had a 3.33 ERA and a 1.073 WHIP in 219 innings. That was off a bit from 2006 when he had a 2.77 ERA, 0.997 WHIP, in 233.2 IP. But it was still pretty great.
Permalink
Smmonroe2Varsity Captain
557 days ago
Score 0+-
I honestly hadnt read the globe and seen that they were saying this, it is redicoulis.
Permalink
J-DawgVarsity Captain
558 days ago
Score 2+-
Jon Lester representing for the southpaws!
Permalink | Reply
Niteowl049AAA-er
558 days ago
Score 1+-
Lester's 3.41 ERA is second best on Red Sox and he is only behind Matsuzaka's 2.15 ERA. Very good recap SMMonroe2.
Permalink | Reply
AKittellVarsity
558 days ago
Score 3+-
Big congrats to Lester! Not many pitchers are able to say they won a World Series, overcame cancer and threw a no hitter. Even more interesting, it was all within three years. Ridiculous. I wish the TV and radio call would have been a little better so they could have immortalized this one a little better. Probably the best story in baseball so far this season.
Permalink | Reply
OvertheedgeVarsity
558 days ago
Score 2+-
good for lester, but his era is still over 4, so he isnt all the sudden an ace pitcher, but kudos for his no-no, after fighting cancer he really deserves it
Permalink | Reply
FrugolfVarsity Captain
557 days ago
Score 2+-
Yes, I'm still a Yankees fan but Kudos to Lester.I lost my wife to cancer so I'm rooting for anyone that can beat it. I wish him all the success in the world.Then I wish for him to get traded to the yanks. Hey you can't blame a guy for trying.:-}
Permalink | Reply
Add your Comment
ArmchairGM welcomes all comments. If you don't want to be anonymous, Register or Login. It's free
Categories: Jon Lester fans | Opinions | Opinions by User Smmonroe2 | May 20, 2008 | May 2008 | MLB Opinions | Boston Red Sox Opinions | Kansas City Royals Opinions | Jon Lester Opinions

Don't Miss

Phillies World Series 2009: A Year Later, and They Still Don't Want Us
Sorry, But I'm Not Sorry
2009 NHL Preview
In Which Ricketts Wins World Series
2009 Week 3: Let’s Talk About Your Favorite NFL Team

In the News

Hey ArmchairGM users! Want to help the admins update this news section? Click here to help us out.

Comments of the Day

0 Only because the voters are facking stupid. "Numbers" are...

Take a Poll

As of 2009, who is the best third baseman in the game?
Alex Rodriguez Evan Longoria David Wright Ryan Zimmerman Other

New Articles

How Can Fred McGriff Not Be Elected to the Hall of Fame?
Best African-American Quarterback Ever?
Ken Caminiti: National League's 1996 MVP
Winter Olympics 2010
Highlights from Dubai 7's

Retrieved from "http://armchairgm.wikia.com/Article:Lester_tosses_first_Sox_Lefty_No-No_since_1956"

This page was last modified 07:27, 20 May 2008. Content is available under the GFDL.

Main Page About Special Pages Help Terms of Use Advertise