High For Derek Lowe: A No-Hitter

Derek Lowe, who couldn't keep his job as a closer, pitched the first no-hitter at Fenway Park since 1965, leading the Boston Red Sox over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 10-0 Saturday.

Lowe, who fell six outs short of a no-hitter in his first start of the season on April 5 at Baltimore, allowed only one runner, a walk to Brent Abernathy leading off the third inning.

The Devil Rays were held hitless for the first time in their five-season history. The closest they came to a hit was on Steve Cox's liner that right fielder Trot Nixon caught on the run in the fourth.

The last no-hitter at Fenway was by Red Sox right-hander Dave Morehead on Sept. 16, 1965. Mike Mussina of the New York Yankees was one strike away from a perfect game at Fenway last Sept. 2 before pinch-hitter Carl Everett singled.

This was the first no-hitter in the majors this season.

Lowe struck out six. He breezed through the ninth, retiring Russ Johnson on a soft liner, getting Felix Escalona on a fly ball and wrapping it up with Jason Tyner's easy grounder to second baseman Rey Sanchez.

After the final out, Lowe hugged third baseman Shea Hillenbrand, and then was surrounded by teammates as the sellout crowd of 32,837 cheered. He waved his hat to the fans several times as he walked to the dugout.

Fans at the NHL playoff game between the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens rose to a standing ovation when news of Lowe's feat was put on the FleetCenter video board.

Hideo Nomo pitched the last no-hitter for the Red Sox, on April 4, 2001, at Baltimore.

Lowe (4-1) struggled as Boston's closer last year before being moved into the rotation in September.

The 28-year-old righty has done well in his new role — obviously.

Lowe was especially effective with his sinkerball, which he mixed with his curve and fastball.

The Devil Rays began the day batting a major league-low .212 in nine road games.

Boston's Pedro Martinez and Tim Wakefield both lost no-hit bids in the ninth at Tampa Bay in recent years.

Rickey Henderson hit the second pitch from starter Delvin James (0-2) into the left-field screen for his 80th career leadoff homer, extending his major league record.

The Red Sox chased James and broke it open with six runs in the third. Manny Ramirez had an RBI single after Henderson singled leading off and Jose Offerman walked. After Brian Daubach was intentionally walked, Hillenbrand chased James with an RBI single.

Jason Varitek greeted reliever Jorge Sosa with ground-rule double to right, making it 5-0. One out later, Sanchez looped a two-run single to center.

Nomar Garciaparra's RBI double in the fourth made it 8-0 and extended his hitting streak to 12 games.

James, making his third major league start, allowed six runs on five hits in 2 1-3 innings.