Red Sox LHP Lester earns monthly award

NEW YORK (TICKER) —Boston Red Sox lefthander Jon Lester on Monday was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for September.

In September, Lester went 4-1 with a 2.14 ERA and 28 strikeouts in five starts. The 24-year-old tossed 33 2/3 innings, allowing eight earned runs and 26 hits along with 13 walks.

On September 8, Lester pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings against the Tampa Bay Rays, permitting six hits and three walks and tying his season high with nine strikeouts in the win.

Lester finished the 2008 season with a 16-6 record and a 3.21 ERA. He collected 152 strikeouts in 210 1/3 innings and tossed two shutouts, one of which was his no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals on May 19.

Others receiving consideration were Royals teammates Zack Greinke and Joakim Soria, Francisco Rodriguez of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and A.J. Burnett of the Toronto Blue Jays.