Critical Notes

Having overcome cancer, Jon Lester trumped the Indians in his return to the majors. (AP Images)

Jon Lester made a triumphant return to the big leagues Monday night.

The Boston Red Sox starter who was diagnosed with cancer last year defeated the Cleveland Indians, 6-2, at Jacobs Field. Lester, 23, was recalled Sunday from Triple-A Pawtucket to make his first appearance in the majors since last August, when he learned he had anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

In December, he was ruled cancer-free and the dream of a big-league career was revived. As a rookie, he went 7-2 with a 4.76 ERA in 2006. On Monday, he pitched six innings, allowing two earned runs and five hits. He struck out six and walked three. He allowed a two-run home run to Grady Sizemore in the third inning.

Lester was replacing the ineffective Julian Tavarez in the Red Sox rotation. He figures to stay with Boston until injured Curt Schilling returns from the disabled list.

In a rare game as an underdog, the Red Sox paid +117 on the moneyline (meaning a winning wager of $100 would net a $117 profit). Manny Ramirez went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the win and Coco Crisp was 4-for-5 and scored three times.
In-game wagering was available for the contest through BodogLIVE.

In other early American League games on Monday:

Toronto 6, Minnesota 2: The troubles for Johan Santana continued. Frank Thomas homered twice to raise his total to 503 and pull within one of Eddie Murray for 20th place as the host Blue Jays sent Santana (11-8) to a rare second-half loss. Reed Johnson and Alex Rios added solo shots off Santana, who allowed four home runs in a game for the first time in 163 starts. The reigning AL Cy Young winner dropped to 41-6 following the All-Star game since the 2003 break. He allowed six runs and seven hits in five innings, matching his shortest start this season.

Thomas hit a two-run homer in the second that put the Blue Jays ahead 3-0 and another two-run drive in the fifth that made it 6-3. It was his 30th multihomer game, his first this year. The Jays paid +137 as a home underdog.

For complete MLB odds for Tuesday, visit the Bodog Sportsbook.