Lester beats cancer, Tribe

At Cleveland, Jon Lester crowned his courageous comeback with a victory.

The young pitcher, whose rookie season ended suddenly when he was diagnosed with cancer, pitched six innings to win his first game in 11 months and lead the Boston Red Sox over the Cleveland Indians 6-2 on Monday night.

Working to major leaguers while his parents sat on the edge of their seats near Boston's dugout, Lester allowed two runs and five hits to easily handle the Indians, the AL's best team at home.

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

The 23-year-old left-hander had been in the midst of a stellar first season when a visit to the doctor for back pain resulted in a startling find that threatened his life and stunned Red Sox Nation.

Lester was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a highly treatable form of cancer, just days after he improved to 7-2 with a win over the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 23.

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.

Coco Crisp went 4-for-5 and scored three runs for Boston, which jumped to a 5-0 lead in the second off Jake Westbrook (1-6).

BLUE JAYS 6, TWINS 4: Toronto, Frank Thomas homered twice to raise his total to 503 and pull within one of Eddie Murray for 20th place as Toronto sent Johan Santana to a rare second-half loss. Reed Johnson and Alex Rios hit solo shots off Santana (11-8), who allowed four homer in a game for the first time in 163 major league starts. He gave up three homers five times previously.

YANKEES 9, ROYALS 2: At Kansas City, Mo., Roger Clemens got his 351st career win and Alex Rodriguez became the first player to reach 100 RBIs this season, leading the New York Yankees over the Kansas City Royals, extending their winning streak to four. Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon and Jorge Posada drove in two runs each for the Yankees.