Thursday, May 20, 2010

Lester Keeps Rolling

Jon Lester pitched the first complete game for the Red Sox in 2010, a masterful nine strikeout performance in beating the Twins, 6-2, and sweeping the brief two-game series.

Lester was never really in trouble all night. He allowed just a run in the eighth on a double, a ground out and a sacrifice fly. The Twins also scored a run in the ninth, which was aided by a Dustin Pedroia error. Lester threw 102 pitches, and was consistently throwing first-pitch strikes all night.

It was his fourth straight win.

Kevin Youkilis blasted a three run homer and had four RBI, Adrian Beltre also homered (both were off Francisco Liriano, who had not allowed a home run all year), and Victor Martinez rapped out three doubles.

Good news after the game, as Terry Francona announced that Jacoby Ellsbury will be activated for Saturday's game in Philadelphia. He had two hits today in his rehab appearance in Portland for the Sea Dogs.

The Red Sox also gained another game on New York, as they were swept by Tampa Bay at home. The Sox have now gained three games on them since Monday's heartbreaker, and trail them now by 3 1/2 games for second behind the Rays.

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