BOSTON — Immortality takes on a different meaning for someone who has lived through cancer.
But on a magical, wind-swept night in May, 24-year-old Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester claimed his special piece of baseball lore Monday when he pitched a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals in Boston’s 7-0 win at Fenway Park.
Lester struck out Alberto Callaspo to end the 18th no-hitter in Red Sox history, the first since rookie Clay Buchholz threw one against Baltimore last Sept. 1 at Fenway Park in his second big-league start.
Lester became the first Red Sox lefty to throw a no-hitter since Mel Parnell against the Chicago White Sox on July 14, 1956. It also was Lester’s first major-league complete game. And what a way to do it.
“You don’t feel tired in that situation. You’ve got so much adrenaline going,” he said. “I’m sure it will hit me in the morning.”
Lester (3-2) allowed just two baserunners, walking Billy Butler in the second inning and Esteban German to open the ninth; he also had an error when he threw away a pickoff attempt. He struck out nine.
Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek, who has been behind the plate for a record four no-hitters, lifted his pitcher into the air.
Varitek was also behind the plate for Boston when Hideo Nomo (2001), Derek Lowe (2002) and Buchholz accomplished the feat.
Manager Terry Francona gave a long, hard embrace to Lester, who missed the end of the 2006 season after he was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“I’ve been through a lot the last couple of years. He’s been like a second dad to me,” Lester said. “It was just a special moment right there.”
Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury made a diving catch of Jose Guillen’s line drive to end the fourth — the best defensive play of the night. Lester also got help from first baseman Kevin Youkilis, who made a nice scoop on shortstop Julio Lugo’s throw after David DeJesus hit a grounder in the third.
The fans at sold-out Fenway Park held their enthusiasm until the final out of the seventh, rising to their feet when Lester fanned Guillen on a 93 mph fastball. They remained standing for the entire ninth inning, even as German walked and moved around to third base when Tony Peña and DeJesus grounded out.
Zero facts
• Jon Lester’s no-hitter Monday night against the Royals was the 18th in Red Sox history.
• Mel Parnell had been the last Red Sox left-hander to throw a no-hitter, beating the Chicago White Sox on July 14, 1956.
• There were three no-hitters in the majors last season — all in the American League, including Boston’s Clay Buchholz vs. Baltimore on Sept. 1.
• The last perfect game was pitched by Arizona’s Randy Johnson, vs. Atlanta on May 18, 2004.
• The Rockies have been victims of two no-hitters, both in 1996 (by the Marlins’ Al Leiter on May 11 and by the Dodgers’ Hideo Nomo on Sept. 17).
