Red Sox's Lester no-hits Royals

The 24-year-old left-hander tossed his first complete game.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

BOSTON — Jon Lester has survived cancer and pitched a World Series clincher for the Boston Red Sox.

Now he can add a no-hitter to his already amazing list of accomplishments.

The 24-year-old lefty shut down Kansas City 7-0 Monday night for the first no-hitter in the majors since Red Sox rookie Clay Buchholz threw one last September.

It 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.

Lester struck out nine, fanning Alberto Callaspo to end the game before pumping both fists in the air.

Catcher Jason Varitek, who has been behind the plate for a record four no-hitters, lifted his pitcher into the air.

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.

Cubs 7, Astros 2

HOUSTON — Geovany Soto didn’t get the automatic home run he deserved, but it didn’t make a difference. Soto was credited with an inside-the-park homer in the fourth inning despite replays showing that it should have been an automatic home run.

Nationals 4, Phillies 0

WASHINGTON — Tim Redding (6-3) threw 61‚Ñ3 scoreless innings and the Nationals opened a seven-game homestand.