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An honor for Lester

Email|Link|Comments (5) Posted by Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff August 4, 2008 04:49 PM

Red Sox lefthander Jon Lester has been named the American League Pitcher of the Month for July, according to a press release from the team. It is the first monthly honor of his career.

The 24-year-old Lester went 3-0 with a 2.05 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 30.2 innings in July, allowing seven earned runs on 31 hits and six walks for the month.

On July 3, Lester pitched a complete-game shutout against the New York Yankees in his first game ever at Yankee Stadium, striking out eight.

In his 23 starts this season, Lester is 10-3 with a 3.14 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 146.1 innings. He has not taken a loss at Fenway Park since April 9th.

Lester beat out Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez (3.75 ERA, 12 saves, 12.0 IP, 16 SO) and Yankees starter Mike Mussina (3-1, 2.61 ERA, 31.0 IP, 27 SO), among others, for the award.

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5 comments so far...

I wouldn't trade Jon Lester for any player in the entire game. The man is the rarest of baseball breeds: A left-handed ace. At age 24!!

And a great, great kid as well.

Way to go, Jon. Way to go!

Posted by Mitch August 4, 08 06:30 PM

He doesn't qualify as a rookie this year, does he?

Posted by Mister Snitch August 4, 08 07:23 PM

Lester is rockin' this year. Right now he's the ace of the staff, in terms of ability to go deep into the game and a solid ERA. He's the one you want on the mound facing a tough team. Congrats, Jon!

Posted by Kris August 4, 08 07:46 PM

I'm so happy for Lester. He certainly has been pitching like the ace of this staff. I don't think he qualifies as a rookie anymore (and I think Evan Longoria offers some stiff competition). Daisuke, aside from a couple of shellings, has been effective and Wakefield has been solid and even terrific. Not sure why Beckett is sortof struggling. And if/when Bucholz gets it together, this rotation is looking pretty darned good. And then there's the bullpen...

Posted by dub August 4, 08 10:33 PM

Well-deserved. As this year has progressed, we've come to the point where every 5th game you say, "Oh, thank goodness, Lester is starting." That's impressive for so young a pitcher. He's at least our #2 now.

Posted by Brian W. August 5, 08 09:57 AM