Jon Lester wins in Athletics debut

After being traded in Thursday’s massive blockbuster, Jon Lester showed up ready to play on Saturday and led his new team to a win.

by Nick Bond

Aug 3, 2014, 11:30 AM UTC

Thearon W. Henderson

Despite his worst start in almost two months, Jon Lester still managed to lead the Oakland Athletics to an 8-3 victory against the Kansas City Royals in his first start after being traded for Yoenis Cespedes in Thursday's enormous deadline deal.

Lester surrendered three runs -- his most since June 7 -- on nine hits, striking out just three while failing to complete the seventh inning. But he still managed to keep most of the men on base from crossing home. His trade-mate/teammate Jonny Gomes helped guide Oakland to victory as well, collecting two hits. Other newcomer Sam Fuld also made a noteworthy play.

And even though he gave up nine hits, Lester was met with a warm embrace when exiting the game with his new fans giving him an ovation. “To walk off to the ovation was great,” Lester told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, adding, “It kind of makes you feel welcome.”

The "La Potencia" shirt giveaway for the recently departed Cespedes added a little bit of awkwardness to the proceedings. It could have been even more awkward if the A's hadn't exploded for eight runs in the fifth after four perfect innings of pitching from Jason Vargas, turning a one-run deficit into a seven-run lead.

Though even if they hadn’t rallied for the victory, a free t-shirt is a win no matter what.

Well said

JUAN. FREAKING. LAGARES. pic.twitter.com/QYVi9zLAcd
— Rich MacLeod (@richmacleod) August 2, 2014

A rough year for Arizona

Thirteen months ago, David Peralta was playing in an independent league. He's hitting third for the Dbacks tonight.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) August 2, 2014

You Boys, #Blessed

According to @STATS_MLB, the Tigers have scored in all 8 innings of a 9-inning home game for the first time since 1912.
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) August 3, 2014