The night before the Red Sox brought out the champagne, John Lackey led his team to their first playoff berth since 2009.
Lackey tossed a gem against the Orioles on Thursday night, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning and going the distance to record the one-run complete game.
The right-hander surrendered only two hits while striking out eight and walking two. Lackey’s dominant performance may have been overshadowed by the Red Sox punching their ticket to the postseason, but they saved the fireworks for the following night when they clinched the division title.
Lackey locked down the Red Sox’ playoff spot as chants of “Lackey! Lackey” burst out in the ninth inning and he is this week’s Amica Pitcher of the Week.