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Lester still riding high »
May 20, 2008
BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer
BOSTON -- Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek has now caught more no-hitters (four) than any other catcher in baseball history, and manager Terry Francona doesn't it's no accident.
"I don't think that part is a fluke," said Francona. "When pitchers buy into 'Tek, they're going to be better."
As an example, Francona cited Josh Beckett, who often clashed with Varitek over pitch selection in his first season in Boston. When Beckett became less stubborn and let his catcher call more of the game, he enjoyed his first 20-win season last year.
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Francona has been substituting Alex Cora for shortstop Julio Lugo late in games recently, including four times in the last five games.
That's partly out of concern for Lugo after suffering a mild concussion in Minnesota and partly because Lugo has been in a fielding slump, committing four errors in the last five games.
"Cora's pretty good," pointed out Francona. "Now that we're 50 games or so into the season, I wouldn't be doing my job correctly if I didn't do (things to help us win). Having our best defensive team out there is an obligation."
Francona said he has spoken with Lugo about the substitutions and values the open communication.
"If you're doing the right thing,'' he said, "but you don't get the player to understand it, that it's not the right thing."
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Curt Schilling's throwing program continues, with the veteran pitcher stretched out to a distance of 100 feet recently.
Posted by Sean McAdam 
at 4:32 PM | Permalink
