The Red Sox’ Julio Lugo dives safely back into first base on a pickoff attempt during the seventh inning last night. Playing first base is the Royals’ Ross Gload.

The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach

BOSTON –– Pressure? What pressure?

Just because Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester tossed a no-hitter against the Royals on Monday night didn’t make rookie pitcher Justin Masterson feel any added anxiety after being called up from Double-A Portland (Maine) to make only his second major-league start for Boston last night at Fenway Park.

He had plenty of time to think about his second start for the Red Sox. He knew about it a a few days ago, and he and his wife drove down from Portland on Monday night. He was in his hotel room watching Lester work his magic when he realized he had to follow his friend’s no-hitter.

“I was excited,” said Masterson. “Then, of course, the announcer said ‘Justin, have fun following this one up.’ It was crazy. I was just so proud watching it, and I consider him a good friend. It was just so awesome, and of course rolling through my mind was I wanted to throw a perfect game. But that was taken away in the first inning.”

He didn’t toss a perfect game or a no-hitter, but he earned his first major-league win.

Masterson worked 6 1/3 innings and allowed just one run on three hits, with three walks and five strikeouts as the Red Sox held on for a 2-1 victory over Kansas City.

“He’s a good-looking young pitcher who is still developing,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “Fortunately for us, he has the composure to come from Double-A and pitch a major-league game for us. This is his second start and he’s done a really good job. It’s more than just stuff; he’s able to handle himself and that’s not the easiest thing to do. He fits right in and I think he enjoyed himself.”

For his efforts, Masterson was sent back to the minors after the game, but received a promotion at the same time. Instead of driving north on Route 95, he’ll head south to Pawtucket, where he’ll join the PawSox for his Triple-A debut.

“He’s developing and he hasn’t pitched at the Triple-A level, yet,” said Francona. “We love him and he’s going to get better, but he needs to go pitch and enjoy his development, because he is going to get better and he is going to help us.”

Early yesterday afternoon, the 23-year-old was walking around the club’s indoor batting cage behind the Sox’ dugout as calm as could be. The 6-foot-6, 250-pounder walked up to catcher Jason Varitek and greeted The Captain as if the two have been batterymates for a dozen years.

That chemistry continued into the game.

The only offense Masterson needed was a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning. With one out and the bases loaded, Julio Lugo provided a sacrifice fly before Coco Crisp contributed a ground-rule double that gave Boston a 2-0 lead.

Kansas City’s only run came in the top of the seventh inning after Masterson issued a leadoff walk to the Royals’ Mark Teahen. Masterson was able to get the next batter to ground out before Francona decided to give the rookie pitcher the hook. with Reliever Javier Lopez faced one batter and recorded a strikeout before Manny Delcarmen surrendered a single to the Royals’ John Buck, allowing Teahen to score.

The Sox’ bullpen held on and Jonathan Papelbon picked up his 13 save of the season to give Masterson his first win.

In his debut, a spot start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on April 24 at Fenway, Masterson also was solid. He tossed a two-hitter and allowed only one run over six innings, including four walks and four strikeouts. When he left that game the Red Sox had a 3-1 lead, but the bullpen surrendered that lead and the rookie had to deal with a no-decision as the Angels won, 7-5.

Francona spent most of his pregame press conference yesterday talking about Lester’s heroic performance from the night before. During his 16-minute talk he mentioned how proud and excited the organization was, not only for Lester but for Masterson, too.

“This is a pretty cool day,” said the manager. “You’ve got a kid coming up from Double-A to pitch a game, and everyone on the major-league staff is excited. Part of that is the way he handles himself and we feel like we have a good chance to win the game.”

That’s exactly what the kid did.

There was no pressure.

“We’re seeing in small samples what he can do,” said Francona. “The kid hasn’t pitched a lot. He’s been on the fast track. This has been a pretty quick ride for him.”

When asked if he thinks he can help the Red Sox win right now and in the near future, Masterson responded with confidence, saying “Absolutely.”

jmcdonal@projo.com