Even though Jon Lester has had an All-Star campaign with no notable ailments, he too has reason to finish strong. In 2010, Lester has likely surpassed Beckett on the pecking order and will go into next year as the nominal leader of the staff, for what it’s worth. In addition, Lester had his own share of hiccups early in the second half of the season. They were not as troublesome as Beckett’s, but a stretch that saw him go 2-5 with a 4.60 ERA was a tad un-Lester like.
Then there is this little matter of making history.
After throwing seven scoreless innings in a 6-0 shutout of the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, Lester improved to 18-8 and remains in pursuit of becoming the first Red Sox left-hander to reach 20 wins since Mel Parnell in 1953.
"Obviously it would be nice but we have a long way to go," Lester said of the potential milestone. "I’m just worried about the next one and that’s what I’ve been trying to do here lately is worry about the next one."
Against the Jays, Lester struck out only four, failing to extend a streak of four straight starts with at least 10 Ks, but he limited the power-hitting Blue Jays to just four hits, all singles. To illustrate just how much of an achievement that is, Toronto had at least one extra-base hit in 25 straight games, including a 2010 major league-high 19 in a row with a home run. That run is now over, while Lester’s continues.
The lefty is 5-0 with a 2.12 ERA in his last five starts, allowing only 21 hits and striking out 46 in 34 innings along the way.
"It’s not fun to face him. I’ve faced him before," said catcher Victor Martinez. "Believe me it’s way more fun to be behind the plate."
Never mind the fact that Martinez is 5-for-8 with a home run, a double and a walk in his career against Lester. He sees first-hand the frustration opposing hitters have when trying to solve Lester, even when he isn’t completely on his game.
One such hitter and the man mostly responsible for the Jays’ streak of games with an extra-base hit is Jose Bautista. Twice in the first five innings on Sunday the leading home run hitter in the major leagues came up with the bases loaded and two outs. Twice Lester got him on weak ground balls, making a mission to mix things up on the slugger pay off.
“He’s obviously a dangerous threat,” Lester said. “You don’t want him coming up twice with the bases loaded. But I think the first at-bat set up the whole game. We were able to mix a whole lot of pitches in and not let him sit in one area and I think that set up his later at-bats.
“I was able to make a couple of pitches to him and get out of some jams.”
Just two Toronto batters reached base outside of those jams. Neither went past first base.
“He put up a lot of zeroes and stayed in charge of the game,” manager Terry Francona said.
Sunday was Lester’s 60th career win. If he reaches 62 this year it will be something special and perhaps provide one of the last remaining dramas in the Red Sox’ season. Even if he doesn’t, however, Lester’s campaign is winding down in fine fashion.
