PAWTUCKET — Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester arrived at McCoy Stadium yesterday afternoon at approximately 4:50 ready to make his fourth rehab start of the season, but first for the PawSox, as the 23-year-old left-hander fights his way back to the major leagues after his battle with cancer.

He was originally scheduled to pitch for Pawtucket last Wednesday in Rochester, but that game was postponed due to rain. Lester said having his start pushed back didn’t bother him and he proved that last night.

The first and last pitch of his five-inning, 84-pitch outing registered 94 mph, and everything in between was efficient as he had solid command of the strike zone. He worked five shutout innings, allowing just three hits with six strikeouts and no walks.

“I felt good,” he said. “It was good to get the first one (at Triple A) under my belt. I got the reins off a little bit and was able to throw more pitches, so it was good.”

Lester is slated to start again for Pawtucket on Wednesday (90-95 pitches) before the Red Sox make a decision whether he’ll join Boston or continue with the PawSox. Because he’s been so good, it’s likely he’ll join the Sox’ rotation.

It’s been a good two-day span for Lester. He had his normal three-month checkup at the Dana Farber Institute in Boston and everything came back normal. That news gave him a little more pep last night.

“I got a little tired at the end,” he said. “I was coming out of my delivery a little bit. All in all, I felt strong. In the first inning you’re going to have a little more adrenaline than I’m used to and I probably spent a little too much in the first inning. With that being, I was happy with the way I carried my delivery throughout the game.”

With all the attention on Lester, almost lost in all the mix was Buffalo starting pitcher Adam Miller, who limited the PawSox to two hits and no runs over seven innings. He allowed two walks and had eight strikeouts. He had a no-hitter going until the PawSox’ Luis Jimenez lined a single to left-center field in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Pawtucket scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning en route to a 5-1 victory over the Bisons.

But it was all about Jon Lester last night.

With the game delayed 25 minutes because of wet field conditions, Lester walked from the bullpen to the dugout for the 7:30 start and the 1,509 fans in attendance gave him a standing ovation.

“It was nice to see,” he said. “It was great and it definitely helps me out, knowing that people care about what’s going on. It was just awesome and nothing else can describe it.”

He retired the side in order in the first inning, needing just 15 pitches (10 strikes). In the second, he surrendered the first of three hits of the game — a single up the middle by the Bisons’ Joe Inglett — and faced only four batters, while tossing 22 pitches (15 strikes). In the third, he faced four batters — one reached on an error — and Lester threw 12 pitches (9 strikes).

After two quick outs in the fourth inning, he allowed another single to Inglett, but picked him off first base to end the inning after just 10 pitches (6 strikes). Lester closed out his outing with a 25-pitch inning (16 strikes) and allowed one hit to the Bisons’ Mike Rose.

Lester received another ovation as he left the field after the top of the fifth inning.

He was diagnosed with anaplastic large-cell lymphoma last August and began this season at Class-A Greenville and posted a 2-1 record in three starts. He allowed just three runs on 11 hits in 13 innings of work, with 15 strikeouts and two walks.

PawSox manager Ron Johnson has played special attention to the young southpaw ever since Lester made his professional debut in 2002 after the Red Sox selected him in the second round (57th overall) in the 2002 draft.

“This guy is my hero,” said the skipper. “It’s great to see him out here.

“Jon Lester has the type of personality that, if you want to make yourself feel better, just go spend a little time with him,” added Johnson. “We’re all excited to get Jon back.”

Jon is back!

“It’s exciting stuff,” said Johnson. “You look at what Jon’s done and we’re happy he’s here.”

jmcdonal@projo.com