Jon Lester makes Minor League Start; First Since Cancer Recovery

Jon Lester made a successful return to the mound on Thursday night, but Wilmer Pino delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Charleston RiverDogs a 1-0 triumph over the Greenville Drive.

Lester looked sharp in his first start since being diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma last August. He allowed two hits and one walk with five strikeouts over four scoreless innings.

The 23-year-old left-hander, who was 7-2 with a 4.76 ERA with the Red Sox last season, underwent six chemotherapy treatments and reported to Boston's training camp cancer-free. He is expected to make three more rehabilitation starts for Class A Greenville to build up his stamina.

But after reaching 96 mph on the radar gun at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Ballpark, it might not be long before Lester returns to Fenway Park.

It might have been an A ball start, but his like looks promising:

4IP 2H 0ER 1BB 5K

This is a guy I can rally behind, I hope to see him in Fenway as the 5th starter soon!

TomC