Four Shutout Innings For Lester, Shrugs Off Opening Day Talk
FORT MYERS (CBS) - Red Sox lefty Jon Lester threw four shutout innings against the Twins on Friday.
Lester gave up four hits while striking out five as he extended his scoreless inning streak to six for the spring.
"Felt good," Lester said. "I got into a little bit of a rhythm early. The main thing is everything went smoothly and everything feels good, feels healthy."
Lester missed his last scheduled start on Sunday with the flu, but was able to stay on track with a simulated game on Monday.
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The 19-game winner shrugged off any thought of being the Red Sox opening day starter, a decision he said could wait.
"It would be nice, but it's not something I'm worried about right now," Lester said. "(There's) a long way to go, some innings to go. When that day comes if Tito gives me the ball, it will be a big honor. If he doesn't, it won't be a big deal."
Jon Lester Talks About Possibly Getting The Opening Day Start
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"I just pitch when they tell me to pitch. If it lines up to that day, then so be it. Obviously I'll be very honored to take the ball that day, but if I'm not we have four other guys in that clubhouse. I have no problem taking the ball, it's not something I've even counted into or figured out. A lot of things can happen from now until then. We'll worry about it when that day gets here."
The Red Sox open the season April 1st against the Rangers in Texas.
