Lester Untouchable as the Red Sox Blank the Royals, 7-0.

In yet another impressive pitching performance in his young career, Jon Lester completed a no-hitter on Monday night, shutting out the Kansas City Royals. Lester’s career has already been marked by challenges and early success. Last season he completed a remarkable comeback from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in time to successfully pitch the final game of the Red Sox sweep of the Colorado Rockies in the 2007 World Series.

Monday’s no-no was a great performance by Lester as he made short work of the Royals, facing only twenty-nine hitters, as he allowed only two baserunners. Royals 1B Billy Butler managed to earn a walk in the fourth, as did LF Esteban German in the ninth. Aside from the two walks, Lester was almost untouchable. Other than Jacoby Ellsbury’s diving catch to end the fourth inning, there were no well hit balls that threatened to break up Lester’s gem. The young lefty from Tacoma, Washington scattered nine strikeouts throughout the contest, including Royals 2B Alberta Callaspo to end the game.

The Sox did plenty to support Lester, battering Royals pitcher Luke Hochevar for seven runs on five hits through six innings. The Sox rang up five in the third after loading the bases and capitalizing thoroughly on their opportunity. Jason Varitek also homered in JD Drew in the sixth.

Notes: - Sox catcher Jason Varitek caught his MLB record fourth no hitter - The last no hitter in the majors was thrown by Red Sox rookie Clay Buchholz on September 1 of last year against the Baltimore Orioles. - Monday’s no hitter was also Jon Lester’s first ever complete game