A look back at sports
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Sports pictures of the year
From a nail-biting pass at Superbowl XLIII to a bloody WBO World Welterwight fight, here's a look at the best sports photos of 2009. Slideshow
Red Sox pitcher Lester tosses no-hitter
BOSTON (Reuters) - Boston Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester became the first pitcher in the major leagues to toss a no-hitter this season in his team's 7-0 win over the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park on Monday.
The 24-year-old Lester, who missed the end of the 2006 season after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, pitched the clinching game in Boston's World Series victory last October.
He struck out nine on Monday and walked just two batters in his first career complete game.
"I've been through a lot the last couple of years," an emotional Lester told reporters. "I'm sure it will hit me in the morning.
"This is great. How many people get to say they've won the World Series? And a no-hitter is a no-hitter. How many people can say they've done that?
"So they're both up there. They both mean a heck of a lot to me, and something I'll cherish for a long time."
Lester allowed just two base runners, walks to Billy Butler in the second and a lead-off walk to Esteban German in the ninth.
CROWD CHEERED
He completed the feat by striking out Alberto Callaspo in the ninth inning before pumping both fists in the air as the sellout crowd cheered and rose to its feet.
Boston catcher Jason Varitek, who has caught a record four no-hitters in his career, rushed to Lester and lifted his pitcher in the air as their team mates joined in the celebrations.
"It's so exciting to be a part of one," Varitek said. "Each one is so different. It was his moment."
The Royals did not come close to a hit after the fourth inning, when center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury made a diving catch on Jose Guillen's line drive to end the inning.
"We're on the wrong part of history," said Kansas City manager Trey Hillman said.
The Red Sox scored five runs in the third inning off Royals starter Luke Hochevar and Varitek added a two-run homer in the sixth.
Clay Buchholz, in just his second major league start, was the last Red Sox pitcher to toss a no-hitter, in September 2007.
The last Boston left-hander to toss a no-hitter was Mel Parnell against the Chicago White Sox in 1956. Only Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan had no-hit the Royals in their franchise history.
(Writing by Roger Lajoie in Toronto; Editing by Ed Osmond)
