Jon Lester

And the winning pitcher from last night's game Jon Lester joins us on this line John -- Michael congratulations. It it was it was an emotional night for everybody last night at Fenway and Michael and I were talking about. The -- after the after the game. And every one of your teammates and hugs and hearing guys say -- TUI love you I mean it was of it was a very cool night last night.

You know what do mean it. It's something that you know really words can't describe it and and always remember.

You know John your pitching goes John Farrell said. You had an erratic bullpen session I'll probably the most erratic of the year why did you see it that way and if so what made it so erratic.

I think erratic described about it mean it was it was pretty bad. I thought -- be a long night you know going into the game but -- went you know went out there and try to get. Try to quicken things up and and you know give my arm -- right position in. And you know early on just and he could kind of tell that things were clicking topic a lot of time between pitches in. And just trying to get find a rhythm and actually founded in the --

As you look back on their bullpen session was it that you could not get a feel for the ball with you your -- you weren't able to locate well weren't you able to do that was so frustrating.

You name it and yet I'm I'm gonna get if you get caught up open you have thought Olympic first inning it's just it wasn't. Mechanics didn't feel right ball didn't feel right. You know I don't know I was as nervous going to Gordon came in and two up now little bit but it is just it wasn't. You know you'll live on anything -- very good.

John Farrell said to me last week before your outing in Baltimore. He said there a couple of things that he really looks for from you to tell where your rap and how you're doing won his pace of the game that you mentioned. Won its first this -- first pitch strikes I can say it. Both of those categories you hit home runs last night.

Yeah did all those things we've been been really harping on this year in and trying to get better that you know especially the first to strike. And you know it just it makes the game easier on mean. And everybody else it -- distracted and the defense is ready and know you're going to throw strike one and that they're ready to play behind you when you go ball one ball two guys get on their heels a little bit in and it's just frustrating for them. And obviously with the offense we have you want to get him back in the dugout which are swinging the --

We are obviously saw your emotion after the game but going to the ninth inning jeez can you describe. What you were feeling it seemed like you -- little pumped up then and you kind of came out of your delivery for a second before regaining it -- that give -- a sense of what you're going through there.

I'm really I mean -- I don't even know it was it was such a Russian an -- so much. That you know he'd be -- can't really remember right now practical back and watches and -- Every live without rules won't vote on my mind. You know -- the first batter came up they're probably just trying to be too fine but it is not. Not trying to -- it that is going after the guys like is that you know the whole game and while I guess what they got him by the way I realized that it was. You know go back who would be known in football and and you know you let that hitter or she would happen.

Let all catchers have different styles but most of them say. This is the pitcher's game I'm giving him a suggestion but he's got to be comfortable with the pitch that that I'm calling for. -- that said how many times did you shake off their tech last night and and how often do you shake them often now.

It's not very often last night I don't know. It's not on the U really keep. Notebook on -- thing that usually I think 90% of its second same page with everything and any minute or not a lot of times I'll go with what he calls just -- you know he's behind the plate he's he's guys stepped in in the ball and swing and in. And you know where their back it is going to get to -- stuff like that he conceded a lot of times you know the history can't so. You know lead you'd go -- him and sometimes you'd have a gut feeling about it is that you'd think -- got a guy. On a curve ball he walked fastball and he you know he -- connect herbal so. I don't think very often --

John you mentioned that your bullpen wasn't very good at what point. In the game did you say okay I don't know where it was but I found it now.

After the fourth inning having the opposite when we scored four runs went out there ethnic at a ninth pitch inning existing Mike you know I threw a fastball strike want to first -- They're okay -- laws and the template picked up and and like at the oil but the main focus going in that it was okay when these these guys back in the dugout -- keeps -- the bat but more on. And you know which is.

And the question that that always gets asked of pitchers who have thrown no hitters is. When did you start thinking about it.

I really don't even know is probably the sixth seventh innings somewhere in there you know -- noticed what was going on in. And has some net. You know -- Monica but it would really hit home going into ninth inning you know what the situation.

Did you talk to your parents last night were they able to watch this game.

Yep they did their usual thing mom almost screaming at the computer in my that was it in the rough isn't watch watch it it's.

He's in the garage. It just am picking up your mom's news.

Oh yeah he can hear on the drugs so he can. -- after I was going on.

You know John I want to ask you sweet we talk about this earlier that we get the sense and correct us if we're wrong we get the sense. That you don't want any anybody to pity you. -- four for cancer you survived cancer and something that is obviously courageous but it seems like when it comes up a lot. You try to -- before you try to downplay it are you comfortable with being an inspiration to so many people -- how'd you how do you think about being a cancer survivor.

Well I'm -- look at it two ways one way is you know if if anybody was in my issues they've probably would have tried to -- same thing. You know I just wanted to get back to what I do you know I've played baseball I enjoyed doing it. And and that's what I doubtful Michael -- to get back this spring training. He'll be ready and pitch and you know did something that fortunately it worked out that way you know -- had the minimum treatments and what manner but. I mean I'm -- will be an inspiration to people it's just it's it's awkward sometimes people bringing up these to come out the ministry say hey you know here's. An inspiration my demise to mean my parents or whatever because of so and so had cancer -- and you know you we we respect to a lot you know it's just kind of what -- I think. But not come uncomfortable with being in desperation of people and and I just I think that I keep looking -- it is I'm topic I'm any different anybody -- those diplomats situation.

I got the impression watching post game last night. The Terry Francona was more emotional when you wore.

Yeah mean back at that before and then said last night he's. He really is -- like -- in that Meehan and you know almost like a part of of my family. You know -- the game was over yes I'd bet on number gave them call. And captured congratulated him and all that that that the Red Sox you know compete on up. Our first class organization they treated me my family very very well during the whole deal and I'm very grateful for what is different.

Do you remember what your feelings were as you were watching -- colts. Complete his no hitter last fall because I got the impression reading the comments from your teammates they -- die in last night -- ninth inning.

You know but. To be honest with you I it was I was start the next day and I got actually got sent down and -- before that the the Portland to make the start for roster move so I wasn't at the stadium and vocal there's no hitter REI think -- might have been even in bed and admitted -- in the next big ball so I don't remember the feeling that I know the next that walk -- it -- craft -- muscles all this.

Com and.

On the United is very happy form. You know he he can do that he's got that stuff you know every five days to do that.

What's your opinion of pitch counts reason mass that is. He threw a 130 last night you had never completed a game before another Red Sox are very conscious of pitch counts oh what your --

You know always oh it at a bad opinion about it is because I've always had pitch counts. It it's -- that you know obviously studies you know they've done their research studies shown that. Throw a lot of pitches he only got some people -- is is he used so you know I think. I think in in you know I mean enclave position I think they're very important but you know like an invite -- Beckett that they hit their bodies of used to -- 200 innings -- major with a full Major League seasons and going in the playoffs -- not -- pitch count on his -- is important -- those.

Terry jokes about how he would have sent Farrell ought to get -- colts at the had to take him out last fall. If Terry you've come out to get you in the ninth totally seen a fist fight between you and your second dad.

You might have. Yeah you have -- you know might not locked up that would have stayed out there but it. You know I knew a lot of pitches and then very grateful that they'd been let me -- finish it and and you know that it --

You're probably going to have you on the shortest lease when your next. Probably what -- five.

Yeah and I think we get an extra day it is so I think everything it would spectacle. --

Well I know you are a little uncomfortable with the inspiration thing but I'm not uncomfortable saying that. For most of the people who watched last night. It was a pretty emotional moment for all of us and I and I and I hope you understand how much everybody around here appreciated what what they watched last night.

You know I'd I'd do I do appreciate everything. You know fans have always been -- they've when everything happened on that a lot of lot of well wish cards in. And you know get -- soon. Stuff and you know greatest city and I really appreciated everything that they did and still do and you know it. It's something that I'm going to have -- to be more couple you know it's it's it's part of who I am now on. And on the rose.

Congratulations on a spectacular night house last night and best of luck the rest of the way. Take care -- that is a Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester who authored the no hitter last night at Fenway Park