BOSTON STRONG -
THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION
The Red Sox click in
the Bronx as Lester
wins the opener

April 1, 2013 ...  They were timely at the plate, aggressive on the bases and clutch on the mound. In other words, the Red Sox looked very much like a new team on Monday while notching a satisfying 8-2 Opening Day victory over the rival Yankees in the Bronx.

Coming through when it counted -- be it at the plate or on the mound -- was a trait that seemed non-existent at times for Boston's 2012 squad. But the Red Sox are looking for this year to be a marked improvement, and the first chapter offered glimpses of why it just might be. It was an auspicious start for John Farrell's tenure as Boston's manager. A strong start to the year could mean big things. In this one, there were a lot of people who made the win possible.

Jackie Bradley Jr., making his Major League debut, was an on-base machine, drawing three of Boston's eight walks. He also hustled to second to beat out a key potential force and made a sensational catch in left field.  Then there was Jonny Gomes, hustling home from second on an infield single in the ninth. Boston's entire dugout erupted on that play -- the type of galvanizing moment that was so lacking in 2012.

A four-run top of the second inning turned out to be the difference in the game. Shane Victorino (two-run single) and Dustin Pedroia (RBI single) accounted for three of the runs in that rally with two outs against Yankees ace CC Sabathia.  Lester had to work hard for the win, throwing 96 pitches over five innings, but he got the job done. The lefty scattered five hits and two runs, walking two and striking out seven.  Aside from a laborious fourth inning, when Lester threw 34 pitches and gave up both of his runs, he looked dominant.  The bullpen got key contributions from just about everybody to close it out. 

David Ortiz jogged to the third base line when he was introduced before the game. It's a sign of things to come for the injured designated hitter.  Ortiz will stay with the Sox through Thursday then return to Fort Myers. He hopes to start playing in extended spring training games at that point. He thinks he can be ready in 10 games, the last few with Triple A Pawtucket.

Uniformed personnel from both teams wore patches with the town crest of Newtown, Conn., the site of the tragic shootings of schoolchildren and staff members in December. The image also was painted into the grass in front of both dugouts, and the color guard was composed of police officers and firefighters from the town.

Dustin Pedroia, who ended last season with a broken finger on each hand and a torn muscle in his right thumb, dived headfirst into first base in the ninth with the Sox up by six runs. He spent some time with the trainers and a team doctor after the game, but claimed he was OK. Pedroia, who was 2 for 6, has hit safely in seven straight Opening Days.

he Sox are still working through the paperwork of getting shortstop Stephen Drew cleared to play after his concussion. The process involved approval from Major League Baseball and the Players Association. Drew is ready to play in extended spring training games.