Jon Lester crushes the Phillies

Posted on June 18, 2008
Filed Under 2008 Season | Leave a Comment

I’ve never been extremely sold on Jon Lester. The majority of scouts have picked him as a potential number 1 starter with the ability to dominate an entire game. I didn’t see that and I thought he was looked at to be such a great pitcher more because he was a big lefty than because he had amazing stuff.

I was wrong and I’m ecstatic/happy/thrilled to admit that.

Last night Jon Lester tossed 7 innings of shutout ball against the Philadelphia Phillies, arguably one of the best offenses in the league. He got into a bit of trouble in the 1st and 2nd innings but managed to escape without a scrape. Those two innings saw his pitch count reach 99 at the end of the 7th and if it wasn’t for that, he probably could have finished out the game. He only allowed 6 hits (all singles) and 1 walk while striking out 5.

In Lester’s last three starts, he has allowed 3 runs in 20 1/3 innings (a 1.33 ERA.) These are EXACTLY the type of performances the Red Sox need while their roster is missing David Ortiz and sometimes gets a glimpse of an injured Manny Ramirez.

I’m sorry Jon, I was foolish to doubt you. You’re as advertised.