Monday, September 20, 2010

Still On Pace For 20

Jon Lester got even with the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway on Sunday (remember his last game against Toronto there: 2+ innings, 9 earned runs), shutting them down for seven innings as the Red Sox salvaged the final game of the series, 6-0.

J.D. Drew belted a two-run shot, Victor Martinez had a solo shot, and the Sox piled in five runs in the fifth to back Lester. Jon got out of two bases loaded jams unscathed. His streak of ten strike out games ended at four, as he struck out just four Blue Jays.

Lester has at least two more starts in 2010: Saturday in New York, and Thursday in Chicago. It will be interesting to see what Terry Francona would do should Lester not get the win over New York on Saturday. He could move him up to Wednesday night against the White Sox on three days rest, and should he win that one, let him pitch the final game of the season against NY. And obviously, should he not beat the White Sox on Wednesday, that would be his final start of 2010.

If he makes 20 wins, Lester would be the first Red Sox lefty to win 20 since Mel Parnell turned the trick in 1953.

New York and Tampa Bay both lost, so the Red Sox trail the Rays by 6 1/2 games with 13 left to play. Not that it really matters much anymore.

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