Editor’s note: NESN.com is going to tell the story of the 2012 Red Sox in Bobby Valentine’s words. Each game day, we will select the best Valentine quote that sums up the day for the Red Sox.
The string of hard luck continued for Jon Lester. But even as the Red Sox stud pitcher fell to a lowly 5-9 on the season with the loss, it appears the pitcher anticipated to be the ace of this staff may have finally returned.
Lester limited the Twins opportunities on Thursday night, yet Minnesota’s hitters were able to get through with three runs on seven hits against the left-hander. A troublesome third inning, which saw two bloopers fall just wide of Boston mits, allowed for the Twins to take control and give a 29-year-old Samuel Deduno all the run support he’d need.
Even as the Sox offense muddled in mediocrity, managing just two hits — both off the bat of Adrian Gonzalez — on the night, Lester cruised. He utilized all four of his pitches, maintaining strong control of his fastball and rediscovering the knee-buckling nature of his breaking pitches.
Lester acknowledged his strong performance, even calling it his best of the year afterward.
“I threw the hell out of the ball tonight,” Lester noted. “I don’t feel like I’ve thrown the ball that well all year.”
The eight-inning outing, Lester’s longest start since a complete game win against Seattle on May 14, wasn’t his strongest start of the year but it was certainly a promising sign. Seven strikeouts, which marked a high over his past six starts, showed that the power pitcher relied upon in the past is still in there lurking around. But maybe even more importantly, after finding himself in trouble early on, Lester rebounded with undeterred focus and confidence.
The look on his face was one unseen in sometime. It was a look of determination, of passion and of urgency to get his team back on track. The offense clearly did him no favors in that regard, but a return to his expected form would do wonders for a team still in search of an ace.
Bobby Valentine also recognized the effort that Lester put forth on Thursday, even saying “he was great,” but he also recognized the inability of the offense.
“Just another one of those, I think, hard luck outings,” Valentine said. “Lester was great, we (the offense) sucked.”
Hard luck it was, as Lester just can’t seem to find the right combination while he desperately searches to get the Red Sox rolling once again. This team may have fallen back to a frustratingly familiar place, resting once more at the .500 line. But with the return of arguably their most important pitcher, Boston would surely have better than a fighting chance at the postseason.
So as the likes of Clay Buchholz and Felix Doubront — who it wouldn’t be surprising to see take a seat at some point, due to an innings limit — continue their consistent work on the mound, it’s up to Lester to truly make a considerable difference for this team.
Luckily for Boston, if Thursday was any indication then they are in for a treat heading into the stretch run.
