5/19/08: Jon Lester Throws No-Hitter at Fenway Park

From the time I started watching the Red Sox religiously around 1987 (Roger Clemens’ prime) right up until the beginning of the 21st century (the beginning of Pedro’s decline) I was always waiting for the no-hitter that never arrived.

Now, 7 years later, I can say that I’ve seen 4 Red Sox no-hitters. Although I should be used to this by now, one thing is for certain: those 8th and 9th innings never get any easier to watch.

Of course, the key to this game was control. Jon Lester has always had very good stuff, but the issue of pitch location has sometimes been a problem. Tonight, he got ahead of nearly every hitter he faced and located all of his pitches well, and the result is one of the finest pitching performances you and I will ever see in our lifetimes.

A cool side note: Jason Varitek has caught all 4 of the aforementioned no-hitters, which is a Major League record (tied with Hall of Famer Ray Schalk).

Tomorrow, it’s Justin Masterson on the mound in the place of injured Clay Buchholz, and the day after we will see Bartolo Colon make his 2008 debut. For now, however, let’s savor tonight.

Congrats! Now please go ice down that 130-pitch arm.