His play was the thing

“I know Pedey didn’t get any hits, but he probably saves the game in the first inning,’’ manager Terry Francona said. “At best we’re looking at bases loaded, nobody out. Because I think everybody in the ballpark thought the ball was falling. Podsednik about scores, and we’re looking at a full-fledged rally with nobody out. For me, that was the play of the game, and we’re five minutes into the game.’’

That was mostly it for the White Sox, with five more meaningless hits (four singles and a double), all coming in different innings. So with Lester looking his best, and yet not feeling entirely comfortable, the lefthander continued a run that has grown ever more impressive in its dominance. In 17 of his last 18 starts, Lester has given up three earned runs or fewer. He did one better yesterday, allowing no runs over seven innings, and getting his 12th win of the season.

The Sox picked up a game on all their playoff-race rivals, as the Yankees, Rangers, and Rays lost. That leaves the Sox three games up on Texas in the wild-card chase. Boston is also seven games up on Tampa in the wild-card race and 7 1/2 games behind the Yankees in the AL East.

“I’m not scoreboard watching to see what happens, although at this point you’re curious to see what Texas does, Tampa Bay, the Yankees,’’ Mike Lowell said. “I think that’s only human nature. If you don’t look at it, I think you’re probably lying . . . We gained a game on three people. That’s a good sign for us.’’

So too is the run by Lester. Though he hasn’t been getting as many wins as his pitching warrants, he has been incredible over his last 18 starts, in which he is 9-2 with a 2.25 ERA. He also managed to get his 200th strikeout, becoming the first lefty in Red Sox history to reach that mark, and the 10th pitcher (24th season) to get to 200. All on a day when he didn’t feel quite right.