Red Sox lefty Jon Lester faces minor leaguers

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP)—Boston Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester pitched into the sixth inning against minor leaguers Friday, allowing two run and four hits.

Looking to avoid taking a long bus ride for a chance at facing an AL East rival, Lester remained at the Red Sox spring training complex and struck out seven against Triple-A Rochester, the Minnesota Twins’ top affiliate.

“It was good,” Lester said. “Got some things done. Got up there in the pitch count, which was good. I was able to do a couple of different things. Threw some changeups behind in the count, so it was good.”

The Red Sox lost 1-0 in Dunedin against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Lester threw 100 pitches for the first time this spring in 5 1-3 innings.

Lester has one more scheduled outing this spring, Wednesday. He is lined up to start opening day at the New York Yankees on April 1.

In five Grapefruit League outings this spring, spanning 20 innings, Lester has allowed just two runs for a 0.90 ERA. He’s allowed six hits and four walks, and has 16 strikeouts.