Lester The Mariner Molester

Jon Lester was ON last night in Seattle as he the Boston Red Sox beat the Mariners by a score of 5-1. Again, he struck out more than ten batters (12) and had the home club in the palm of his hand. In all, he went eight innings and allowed three hits, one run and whiffed twelve. He became the fifth pitcher in Boston Red Sox history to record more than 200 plus strikeouts at least twice. That's amazing! When he's on, HE'S ON. Boston manager Terry "Tito" Francona put it this way...

"He's got a lot of ways to get you out.

Here's the lefty himself...

“Nothing’s changed. Just getting swings and misses. Executing pitches. I’m throwing the same pitches I have all year. It’s just a matter of locating down in the zone and I’ve been able to do that.”

I watched this game and seeing him pitch as well as he did, though not a surprise, was joyfully wonderful. I stood up and cheered for every whiff. Yes, I was watching the game solo here at home in Farmington but the Sox and Jon were great company. Totally tremendous. Boston started an entire rookie outfield and again, Ryan Kalish showed why he's destined for the big leagues. He smashed a two run eighth inning tater to cement the victory. Red Sox Nation, their hopes and faith still there, had a good Monday night. I know I did.

Here's the latest on the inevitable Mikey Lowell retirement as voiced by Tito...

“The retirement, he’s never talked to me about, so I don’t really have a comment. “We want Lars Anderson (rookie first baseman) to get some games. We’re not just going to stop playing guys to make room for Mikey at first. We’ll try to mix and match and have lineups that look like we can win the game as best we can.”

I agree with Terry. From now until the end of the season, Francona must equally divide the playing time of everybody, rookies and veterans alike, to give the new guys all the experience they can get in 2010. Good for him, good for them, good for us. And don't forget...there's another game from the state of Washington tonight with Matsuzaka ready (I hope) to face French, who is 4-5. The Sox would basically have to win 85 to 90 per cent of their games the rest of the way just to have a chance of October play. Speaking of that, the Rays have taken over from the Yankees as first place dwellers and it looks more and more likely that both of those two teams will be eligible for post-season play. That leave us out. Such is life. What will be WILL be.

Please click on this post's title for more on last night's game, including great highlights, and as always, BE WELL. Thank you for being here.