MLB: Boston 7, Kansas City 0

BOSTON, May 19 (UPI) -- Left-hander Jon Lester pitched the 18th no-hitter in Red Sox history Monday when Boston defeated the Kansas City Royals, 7-0.

Lester (3-2), who was diagnosed with a form of cancer two years ago, struck out nine and issued only two walks -- the first in the second inning to Billy Butler and the other in the ninth to Esteban German.

After Lester, 24, walked German to start the ninth, Tony Pena ground out to third base, David DeJesus grounded out to first, and Alberto Callaspo struck out swinging at a high fastball.

Lester threw 130 pitches, 86 for strikes.

The Red Sox have had the last two no-hitters in the majors. Clay Buchholz had the other Sept. 1, 2007, against Baltimore.

Lester is the first Red Sox left-hander to pitch a no-hitter since Mel Parnell did it against the Chicago White Sox July 14, 1956.

Lester's 2006 rookie season was cut short due to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, but he returned in July 2007 and went 4-0 with a 4.57 earned run average in 12 games, 11 of which were starts. He was the winning pitcher in Game 4 of the World Series against Colorado.

This was Lester's first career complete game.

It is just the second time the Royals have been no-hit. The LA Angels' Nolan Ryan did it May 15, 1973.