Lester

CLEVELAND — Jon Lester's courageous and inspiring return deserved a happy ending.

He provided one.

Lester, back in a Boston uniform and back on a major league mound less than one year since being diagnosed with cancer, got his first victory in exactly 11 months while leading the Red Sox over the Cleveland Indians 6-2 on Monday night.

Showing the composure that made him a rookie sensation and the same fight that helped him beat a treatable form of the hideous disease, Lester triumphed again by pitching six strong innings.

"There were a lot of emotions, a lot of excitement," the 23-year-old said. "Once my first pitch went, after that I settled down and started to calm down a little bit and I got everything in check."

On an emotional night, Lester was asked for his best moment.

"Just pitching," he said. "Just being able to pitch again and not worry about anything. It's nice to be back."

The young pitcher, whose rookie season ended unexpectedly when he was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma, allowed two runs and five hits in a 96-pitch outing.

"I figured the day would come," Lester said. "I just didn't know when."

Working to major leaguers while his parents sat on the edges of their seats near Boston's dugout, Lester had little trouble handling the Indians, the team with the AL's best home record.

Lester's journey back couldn't have had a better checkpoint.

"It was supposed to be his night," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "He just really competes."

Lester had been in the midst of a stellar first season when he visited a doctor for back pain, a checkup that resulted in a startling find that threatened his life and stunned Red Sox Nation.

Over the next months, Lester would undergo six chemotherapy sessions that eventually eradicated the disease. Still, there would be other hurdles to overcome as the Red Sox cautiously handled his return.

But in the opener of a four-game series, Lester showed the same form that made him instantly popular at Fenway Park, where he is certain to have another emotional game when he finally pitches there again.

Lester was relieved to be back in the majors, knowing how quickly it can all be taken away. He was deemed cancer-free in December but must still have periodic checkups to make sure the disease hasn't returned.

"I'm just trying to put it behind me and move on and just go back to pitching and not worry about things," he said.