The Long and Winding Road.....

 Somewhere last night, Theo Epstein had a big grin on his face.  Six months ago Epstein in was engaged in talks with the Twins to trade Lester and a few other pieces for pitcher Johan Santana.  Most of Red Sox Nation ( myself included) could live with the trade that sent Lester to the Twins.  We all know how that deal turned out, and oh wow do we have a new chapter to write in the incredible story that is Jon Lester.

  Jon Lester was simply brilliant last night, in all facets of his game was on, and his performance was flawless.  Lester had command of all his pitches, especially his cutter, and was it working to perfection.  Lester who is lucky to make five innings, was overpowering to the end last night, his last pitch was clocked at 96 mph.  Lester for his career had never pitched a complete game, and he never thrown as many pitches as he did, until last night.  He had never thrown a no-no of course until last night.  Along the way last night, there were really only a few close calls, that super catch made by Jacoby Ellsbury, and that chopper hit in the 9th to Mike Lowell.  Well I take that back, any ball hit in the direction of Julio Luggo had me holding my breath.  For Jon Lester it is the second time he has faced the Royals, the last time was two seasons ago, when he pitched eight innings of one hit ball.  So the Royals have now seen Jon Lester for 17 innings, and managed to somehow solve him to the tune of one hit.

  Where does Jon Lester go from here, who knows, most likely he will continue to be the same inconsistant pitcher he has been the last year or so.  None of that mattered last night though, for Jon Lester was on top of the baseball world, 21 months after having an almost career threating illness come his way.  I always knew Lester was a hero in life for what he had accomplished just to get back on the mound, but know I have new found respect for what he did and accomplished when he took the mound in the top the 9th with the whole world watching.