CLEVELAND — It was fitting that Jon Lester returned to a major-league mound last night with Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” blasting from the sound system at Jacobs Field.

The 23-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox has received nothing but love and support from family, friends and teammates for the last 11 months as he’s battled his way back from cancer.

His return, however, is not about the past. He doesn’t want to dwell on it. The Red Sox don’t either. Lester’s return is about what lies ahead.

“I don’t disagree with that,” said Boston manager Terry Francona. “We thought he was a pretty special young man before all this transpired and all he’s been through. The way he handled it with the grace that he did, he’s a tough not to pull for.”

Lester worked six full innings last night, allowing just two runs five hits with three walks and six strikeouts to earn his first win in the majors since last August and help Boston to a 6-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians. Lester surrendered a home run and hit a batter in the process, but overall he and the Sox were ecstatic about the emotional outing.

“It was really good,” said Lester of his outing. “There were a lot of raw emotions and excitement. It’s just good to be back with these guys again.”

Still, he’s not about to dwell on the past.

“I’m trying to put that behind me and move on,” he said. “I want to focus on pitching and not worry about things, but right now I have to go back every three months and get that reality check. Hopefully we can put it behind us and win some games.”

After the game, many Red Sox players were joking with Lester about all the attention he was getting. But jokes aside, everyone involved with last night’s game was taken aback with his performance.

“We’re way beyond baseball stuff,” said Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, who is still on the disabled list with tendinitis in his right shoulder. “Just to see him healthy again is awesome, but to go out and do what he did against that team is impressive. It’s been fun to watch. I’m just happy for him. I had a chance to stay in touch with him all winter, and during the season [in the minors], it’s been a long road for him. This was incredible. Proud, I guess, is the word I’d use.”

Lester received his on-field support early and often last night as the Red Sox scored four runs in the first inning, and pushed another across in the second for a 5-0 lead.

Tthe Indians began to creep back in the third inning when they scored a pair of runs on a Grady Sizemore home run.

They threatened again in the fourth. Lester allowed a lead-off double to Ryan Garko before loading the bases with one out. The Indians’ Josh Barfield then lined a chopper back to mound, which Lester handled for a forceout at the plate for the second out. With the bases still juiced, Lester picked up a huge strikeout when he blew 93-mph fastball by Sizemore to end the threat.

“It helps any pitcher,” said Francona of the early lead. “He gave up that two-run shot to Sizemore and then in in the next inning, it looked like he was fighting it. He looked a little uncomfortable, but as we’ve seen before he doesn’t give in. He just competes and really keeps his composure.”

Red Sox reliever Julian Tavarez, who was sent to the bullpen yesterday because of Lester’s promotion from Pawtucket, began warming up. But, Lester didn’t need any help, yet.

He retired the side in order in the fifth, and allowed a one-out hit in the sixth before the Sox’ defense turned a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning — and his outing. Reliever Mike Timlin entered the game in the seventh and worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings with one hit. Javier Lopez struck out the lone batter he faced and Manny Delcarmen recorded a strikeout to end the eighth.

The Sox added a bit of insurance in the top of the ninth when Dustin Pedroia posted his third hit of the game, an RBI single to right-center field for a 6-2 advantage. Delcarmen closed it out with his first major-league save, as Lester got the victory.

“Maybe in a day or two it’ll hit home this happened,” said Lester. “Right now there’s just a lot of excitement and happiness.”

“It’s awesome," said Pedroia of his teammate’s performance. “It’s a huge lift for us. It’s an unbelievable accomplishment just to be playing ball. I think everybody in baseball is excited for him. [One would think cancer] would suck the life out of him, but he beat everything. It’s awesome to see because he’s such a great guy and a great friend. Pitching-wise, he’s going to be great for a long time.”

He’s already there.

“I’m impressed, proud, just a lot of adjectives,” said Francona. “It was supposed to be his night and I think it was fitting he won the game.”

jmcdonal@projo.com