Washington Nationals: Jon Lester ties Mets’ greats in all-time win column

Raise your hand if you had the middle of June as the time Jon Lester would win his first game in a Washington Nationals uniform. Yeah, me either. The win, as well as the pitching performance, couldn’t have come at a better time, as the Nationals are trying to claw their way back into the picture in the National League East.

Fitting Lester’s win came against the New York Mets, as it gave him 194 for his career, tying him on the all-time wins list with two well known Mets pitchers from yesteryear. Statistical accomplishments are jut side notes for some, for others they reign supreme, and Lester has joined some good company on the wins list.

Nationals pitcher Jon Lester earned his first win of the year and moved alongside some notorious Mets on the all-time wins list.

Let’s start with the present. Lester had made nine starts this season and has taken a no decision in seven of them. He has pitched well enough to win on a handful of occasions, and in a couple others he has failed to pitch the required five innings needed to qualify. In six of his starts this year he has given up two or fewer runs.

In his last trip to the mound against the Pirates he left the game with the lead (though he was responsible for the runner on base) and the bullpen was unable to hold it for him. In his start against the Mets, Lester was pitching in and out of trouble, however, he was able to make the pitches when he needed (and was helped out by a generous third strike call) to hold New York at bay. His buddy Kyle Schwarber provided the run support, for Lester to walk away a winner for the first time.

Now, the past. Dr. K and Coney, two Mets pitchers who shared the same rotation in the late 80s also share the same line in the record books with 194 career wins. Dwight Gooden was a Cy Young winner and World Champion for the Mets. David Cone was a 20 game winner and an All-Star during his time in New York. Two very accomplished pitchers who now share (hopefully temporarily) a line in the record book with Jon Lester.

When the Nationals signed Lester in the offseason, they were bringing in the veteran lefty to provide innings and keep them in games. While he has exited games too early on occasion, he has kept the team within striking distance. If only the bats could strike on a more regular basis. Congratulations, Jon. We hope you continue to climb the ladder on the wins list.