Cancer survivor throws season's first no-hitter

by Rob Peters | May 19, 2008 at 07:06 pm

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To put it in perspective, fewer than 260 no-hitters have been thrown in Major League history. Jon Lester has certainly joined an elite club.

BOSTON (AP) -- Jon Lester can now add pitching a no-hitter to his already amazing list of accomplishments. The 24-year-old lefty, who survived cancer to pitch the World Series clincher for the Boston Red Sox last fall, shut down Kansas City 7-0 Monday night for the first no-hitter in the majors this season.

''Really, words can't describe it right now,'' Lester said.

Lester (3-2) allowed just two baserunners, walking Billy Butler in the second inning and Esteban German to open the ninth.

Lester struck out nine, fanning Alberto Callaspo to end the game before pumping both fists in the air. It was Lester's first major league complete game, and what a way to do it.

Catcher Jason Varitek, who has been behind the plate for a record four no-hitters, lifted his pitcher into the air.

Then Lester, pitcher, who missed the end of the 2006 season after he was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, met manager Terry Francona met for a long, hard embrace.

''He just said he was proud of me,'' Lester said. ''I've been through a lot the last couple of years. He's been like a second dad to me. It was just a special moment right there.''