When Jon Lester (2-2, 3.94) takes the mound tonight in Minnesota, against Boof Bonser (2-4, 4.29 ... yes, that's his legal first name), Lester needs to be "effectively wild."

Here's why:

When you watch Lester, you tend to worry about walks, which is understandable. But Lester only needs to contain the base on balls to a reasonable number. Then he is tough.

In his last two starts, Lester has gone walked 3 and 4 batters, respectively. But he has given up only a total of 5 hits and 1 run.

In Lester's two starts before that, he walked only 2 batters in each game. But he allowed a total of 19 hits and 7 runs.

Now for a look at the minors:

Jeff Bailey, Dusty Brown and the rehabbing Sean Casey all had two hits for Triple-A Pawtucket. Alex Cora, also on rehab, went 1-for-4 … David Pauley got the win (6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K) … Chris Smith pitched two scoreless innings (0 H, 2 K) and lowered his ERA to 1.65 … Bryan Corey got the save (1 IP, 2 K).

In Portland, Zach Daeges went 4-for-5 … Kris Johnson (5 IP 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K) got the win

In Lancaster, the wind was blowing (20 m.p.h.) out to right and the Jethawks enjoyed a 16-3 win over High Desert, with 7 home runs - two apiece by Reid Engel (total 5), Josh Reddick (4) and Daniel Nava (3) and one from Jason Place (2).

All four players are outfielders (Nava served as the DH on Thursday).

Reddick, 21, went 4-for-4 and is batting .364 ... Engel just turned 21 Wednesday and is at .342 ... the struggling Place, who turned 20 on Thursday, is up to .194 ... Nava, 25, is the old man, having signed this year after being named the independent league player of the year by Baseball America.

In Greenville, Mike Jones’ hitting streak ended at 28 games. He went 0-for-3 and is now batting .395 … Reliever Bryce Cox pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save (ERA: 1.50)

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