NEW YORK -- The Red Sox seem to have survived a scare Friday when lefty Jon Lester was diagnosed with a bruised quadricep after taking a line drive off his right leg.With Lester and Josh Beckett, the Sox looked to have the top 1-2 starting punch in the AL playoffs and the deepest starting corps. The Boston Herald reported Friday that Boston had already chosen Lester to start Game 1 of the AL Division Series, so losing him would be a major blow.
Lester was hit by a Melky Cabrera shot, just above the knee. After staying on the ground for a few minutes, Lester was able to hobble off the field and into the clubhouse.
X-rays taken at the stadium were negative, the team said, and Lester was said to be "day-to-day."
Before Cabrera's liner, Lester was already on his way to his first loss since July 19, having allowed eight hits, four stolen bases and three walks in 2 2/3 innings. Alex Rodriguez, who had been just 2-for-14 against Lester in his career, had an RBI single in the first inning and a two-run homer in the third.
The five runs charged to Lester were his most allowed since May 26.
Game 2 of the AL Division Series would be two weeks from Friday, and if Lester -- Boston's hottest starter before Friday -- is out for an extended period, young Clay Buchholz would presumably become the No. 2 and Daisuke Matsuzaka the No. 3.
Matsuzaka has made just two starts since a layoff to help his shoulder, and manager Terry Francona admitted he doesn't yet know if Matsuzaka is all the way back. And the candidates for the No. 4 spot are Paul Byrd (1-2, 6.04 ERA) and Tim Wakefield, who is dealing with a bad back and sore calf and has pitched just three times since July 8.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-25-2009 @ 9:14PM
Goldie said...
Lester BETTER be ok ! The candidates for the #4 spot are not pretty !!!
Feel better soon Jonny Boy !!!!
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9-25-2009 @ 10:20PM
Ali said...
I was upset that the Yankee fans cheered when he was hit. That was showing some seriously bad sportsmanship.
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9-26-2009 @ 12:18PM
tonytiger18 said...
Hey Ali,
You are typical of most Red Sox fans; you have tunnel vision.
The Yankee fans were cheering that Melky got a hit and drove in a run, not that Lester was hit with a hard line drive in the knee.
They also gave Lester a nice round of applause when he walked off the field on his own.
This young guy is special; he has overcome a lot and is humble. Most Yankee fans appreciate his competitive nature, so you are way off base with your comments. But then again, most of your comments are usually off base and biased.
9-27-2009 @ 11:00AM
Bronx tale said...
Bet that is going to leave a mark huh?...OUCH...Lester is a class act. UNLIKE Becket..First half of the season all the Red SUX nation were flapping there gums...Kinda Quiet now huh??? Gee I wonder why? Cream ALWAYS rises to the top. Well at least 26 times it has for the Yanks.
9-25-2009 @ 11:09PM
Scrabble said...
they were cheering because the yankees were about to score...not because he was hit..if you watched a few minutes longer you would have saw pretty much everyone in that stadium standing and concerned...next time actually watch the game instead of making judgements
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9-26-2009 @ 1:15PM
Mark said...
Tony , I expect better then that out of you.
As a Sox Fan (you know this) it was nice the ovation that the Yankee faithful gave JL when he left the field. I just posted in a different thread about someone saying that wouldnt have happened at Fenway had the shoe been on the other foot. I've been to Fenway Park and the Fans there are just as respectful. We dont want to see an opposing player get hurt. Heck , I think A-Rod is the biggest prick on Earth but I dont wish bad on him . (opting out of his contract and taking more money from the Yanks when no one else was going to give him that much was incredibly selfish,mind you they gave it too him) He could take class lessons from Jeter. Now that guy is a professional and someone I'd want on my team
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9-27-2009 @ 1:12PM
tonytiger18 said...
Hey Mark,
You are in the minority when you make sound clear and objective posts as a Bosox fan, and I agree with you.
Fans do get carried away with biased opinions and reactions.It is never good to see anyone get hurt in a game; these guys are people with families.
We sometimes forget that.
It was good to see Lester get up and even better when the fans gave him a nice round of applause.
Ali is a biased and stupid Bosox fan, along with Fithing Irish,that gives the impression that most Red Sox fans are like them.
Fortunately, there are fans like you that enjoy the rivalry with appreciation and respect.
9-27-2009 @ 12:48PM
The Fighting Irish said...
What is this? Red Sox & Stankee fans hugs and kisses??? You NYC Fags! We all know how Stankee fans are, and don't think your hiding it. I live in Nyc, and Stankees are no class people. They are messy to there own Stankee stadium, very disrespectful, ugly, no sportsmanship, just a act, & cut throat... Stankees manager Wank Steinbitch want's to buy his way all the time, and buying tallent is not winning, you pathtetic Bronx Nyc F***ER's need to recognize. The Boston Red Sox don't over buy, we have respect for baseball, and teams that respect the game, not like New Dork Stankees. JL Jon Lester you are a soldier, and a true Ace. I'm proud your a Boston Red Sox, not a corrupted nyy team, mlb is a joke today with money destroying the true baseball games...
"The Boston Red Sox Will Always Be Americas True Baseball Team"
Boston Red Sox Is The Only Team That Matters In the MLB
"BOSTON AMERICA RED SOX NATION WE HAVE FANS ALL OVER THE WORLD"
KEEP THE FAITH*
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9-27-2009 @ 1:04PM
tonytiger18 said...
Man, you better lay off that beer for your animosity in general is perking.
If you despise the Yankees and New York so much, why do you go to the games here and why do you live here? Move back to the bar that you came from.
What makes the Bosox so good is their rivalry with the Yankees. Without the Yankees, the Bosox can be another Angels or Dodger team where no one cares about baseball as much.
The Yankees basicly put the Red Sox on the map and vice versa. Why don't you just enjoy the games instead of being a vile opiniated drunk.