No-Hitter Redux
Words cannot describe (especially my words) what Jon Lester has been through and what he has achieved. From battling cancer, to winning the deciding game in the 2007 World Series and tonight throwing a no-hitter.
Good work Jon.
I'm sure Terry Francona was hoping and praying that Lester finished up his accomplishment quickly in the 9th as he wound up throwing a career high 130 pitches. I would not have been surprised to see Francona, at Theo Epstein's orders, come out at any point in the 9th telling Lester his night was over, no-hitter or not.
With Clay Buchholz throwing one last year, Lester this year, Derek Lowe in 2002 and Hideo Nomo in 2001, no-hitters are back in vogue in Boston.
Some facts:
- Jason Varitek has caught the most hitters in baseball history with 4 (see above).
- Jon Lester is the first Red Sox left to throw a no-no since Mel Parnell July 14th 1956.
- Red Sox reliever Chris Smith was warming up in the bullpen and with a high likelihood of being returned to Pawtucket after tonight's game, he was probably the only one in Fenway Park, other than the Royals, wishing against a no-hitter. Instead, he will be sent packing to AAA still never having appeared in an MLB game. In time Chris, in time.
- Lester's was the 18th Red Sox no-hitter.
Comments
I was out playing softball, got home, checked ESPN, no-no top of the 9th.
Wife and daughter watching bachelorette on only tv with mlb package on it...
watched on-line
awesome, nice digging on the facts about Tek.
Posted by: blmeanie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 19, 2008 10:12 PM
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Good timing BL. I watched the whole game, but somehow didn't catch on that he was throwing a no-no until the 6th. Even then I figured no chance as so many have gotten that far before.
The thing I thougt would ruin his chance was the pitch count. My bet is they either hold him back a day or hold him to 80 pitches his next start.
Posted by: andy![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 20, 2008 09:21 AM
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yep, probably will
just saw the Ellsbury catch on espn.com, awesome save of the no hitter!
Posted by: blmeanie | May 20, 2008 09:56 AM |
First off, I love the website and check it almost everyday despite neither the Sox or Yankees being my favorite team (Phillies) but this is my first comment.
On Lester's performance, might Francona want to consider pushing him back a day to give him extra rest after throwing 130 pitches. They've done tons of statistical studies that show that a pitcher usually suffers a hangover effect from that many pitches above his average pitch count and considering his age, it might be smart to rest him a little extra. Considering the Sox pitching staff, it would be very easy for them to do it especially with Colon starting this Wed...just a thought. What do you think?
Posted by: NEPhilliesPhan | May 20, 2008 03:02 PM |
NE Phillies Phan, thanks for your post and great site (http://www.nephilliesphan.blogspot.com/).
You are right, didn't think about that. It does make more sense to give him the extra day of rest. That is something Sox brass will almost certainly do. Lester is too big a part of their future to just trot him out there like nothing happened. Actually, they would do that with any pitcher.
Posted by: andy![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 20, 2008 08:31 PM
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