There may not be a lot of love for the Red Sox in these parts but you'd have to be the Grinch that Hates Baseball to not feel good for Jon Lester, Boston's 24-year-old pitcher who threw a no-hitter last night against Kansas City.

Lester's story is well-known by now.  He's a cancer survivor who was diagnosed and battled through non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.  He missed the end of the 2006 season; returned to pitching last July going 4-0 in the regular season and winning the World Series clincher against Colorado, and now this.  It was also Lester's first complete game in the majors.

In the 7-0 win over the Royals, he struck out nine and walked two.  Every no-hitter seems to need a spectacular play and Lester got his in the fourth when center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury went to his left and made a diving catch of a Jose Guillen line drive.  First baseman Kevin Youkilis also snagged a throw from SS Julio Lugo to retire David DeJesus in the third.

Photo:  Associated Press