Jon Lester Strikes Out Career-High 15 as Red Sox Beat A's 6-3

Jon Lester walks off the mound with all smiles after striking out the side in the eighth. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Jon Lester delivered his best outing of the season on Saturday, striking out a career-high 15 batters in the Boston Red Sox’s 6-3 triumph over the visiting Oakland A’s.

The southpaw was able to set the tone early in the matinee, retiring the side in the first inning on just nine pitches. Lester’s red-hot start continued as he struck out nine of the first 13 batters he faced.

The A’s were only able to muster one hit off Lester, a leadoff bloop single in the top of the third by Craig Gentry.

Lester (3-4) walked just two batters and threw 119 pitches in eight scoreless innings. He became the first Red Sox pitcher since Pedro Martinez in 2001 to record 15 strikeouts in a game. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Lester is the first left-handed starter with 15 strikeouts with just one-hit surrendered since Randy Johnson accomplished the feat in 1997 as a member of the Seattle Mariners.

The Red Sox were paced on offense by a grand slam for the second consecutive game. A day after Dustin Pedroia cleared the bases on a tapering shot to left field, Jonny Gomes was able to add a four-run shot of his own over the Green Monster that gave the Red Sox an early 4-0 cushion.

David Ortiz increased the lead in the bottom of the third with a solo homer beyond the bullpens in right. Ortiz now has hit 379 home runs with the Red Sox, tying him with Dwight Evans for fourth in franchise history. For his career, Ortiz has belted 437 homers, just one shy of tying Hall of Famer Andre Lawson and current Cleveland Indians backup designated hitter Jason Giambi for 40^th place on the all-time list.

Chris Capuano was unable to put away the A’s quietly in the ninth. Laden by two errors, the lefty reliever gave up three runs (two earned) without recording a single out.

Koji Uehara came to the rescue for the Red Sox. The 39-year-old closer entered the game with runners on first and second, before giving up a walk to A’s slugger Yoenis Cespedes. The A’s were unable to capitalize on the bases-loaded no-out situation as Uehara buckled down, getting Derek Nooris to ground into a force out at home, before striking out Alberto Callaspo and then retiring Brandon Moss via a line out to right to end the contest. Uehara picked up his seventh save of the season as the Red Sox defeated the club with the most wins in the American league for the second straight day.

Red Sox place Shane Victorino on 15-day disabled list, recall Jackie Bradley Jr.

Shane Victorino will start the 2014 season on the DL (Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)

The Boston Red Sox placed right field Shane Victorino on the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain, just hours before their opening day tilt against the Baltimore Orioles. Victorino injured his right hamstring while running the bases in Saturday’s Grapefruit League finale against the Minnesota Twins. His DL stint is retroactive to March 30.

Rookie outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. has been recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Victorino’s spot on the roster. Bradley Jr. batted just .158 in a dismal spring training, totaling almost double the amount of strikeouts (17) as hits (nine) in 19 exhibition contests. Bradley Jr. lost the competition for the starting center field spot to veteran Grady Sizemore, who emerged as one of the biggest surprises of spring training.

Manager John Farrell does not believe Victorino’s injury is serious, noting that his club will simply have to adjust in the short term without the “Flyin' Hawaiian."

“I don’t know that you look at it as troubling,” John Farrell said, per the Boston Herald. “You look at it as a situation that has to be managed. You’ve got to remain aware that you might have to change on the fly.”

The depth of the Red Sox will be relied upon in the absence of Victorino. Backup outfielder Jonny Gomes should see extended playing time with Victorino sidelined, along with utility man Mike Carp, who will start in left field and bat fifth for the Red Sox in their regular season opener.

25 Boston Sports Moments of 2013 to be Thankful for

There has been plenty to be thankful for as a Boston sports fan in the past year. From Tom Brady's late-game heroics for the Patriots, to Jeff Green's buzzer-beaters for the Celtics, to the Bruins historic comeback in Game 7 versus the Toronto Maple Leafs, culminating with the Red Sox winning the World Series, 2013 has been another year for Boston fans to rejoice. Let's look back at the 25 best sports moments of 2013 for the "City of Champions." (Note: To watch a video of any of the moments, just click on the hyperlink.)

25. Red Sox defeat Kansas City Royals 4-2 on the day the victims of the Boston Marathon were honored at Fenway Park. Daniel Nava hit the go-ahead three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to secure the victory.

24. Jeff Green hits a game-winning layup as time expires in 93-92 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

23. Jacoby Ellsbury's 2-run double caps 9th-inning rally versus Cleveland Indians as Red Sox score four runs in the bottom of the ninth to win 6-5.

22. Stephen Drew knocks a game-winning single in the bottom of the 15th as Red Sox outlast Seattle Mariners in a game that lasts over five hours.

21. Mike Napoli crushes game-ending solo shot as Sox walk-off in the 11th inning versus New York Yankees.

20. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett reach scoring milestones in blowout victory over Toronto Raptors. Garnett passed Jerry West for 15th all-time, while Pierce passed Charles Barkley for the No. 20 spot.

19. Jonny Gomes blasts walk-off HR versus Tampa Bay Rays.

18. Jonny Gomes hits walk-off homer versus San Diego Padres.

17. Celtics extend winning streak to seven games in thrilling triple overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets. Paul Pierce turned back the clock, recording a triple-double. He posted 27 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists in the win.

16. David Ortiz: "This is our Bleeping City"

15. Tom Brady fires a 17-yard, game-winning TD pass to Kenbrell Thompkins with 5 seconds left in regulation to beat the New Orleans Saints.

14. Red Sox rally versus Seattle Mariners in a comeback for the ages. Trailing 7-2, the Sox score six runs in the final frame for an improbable walk-off win. Daniel Nava hits the walk-off single to cap off the rally.

13. Jeff Green drains buzzer-beater over LeBron James as Celtics shock Miami Heat.

12. Patriots pull off their greatest comeback in franchise history to stun the Broncos 34-31 in overtime, after trailing 24-0 at halftime.

11. Red Sox complete worst-to-first regular season to capture AL East Title.

10. Tom Brady becomes all-time leader in playoff wins for a QB as Patriots throttle Houston Texans 41-28 in AFC Divisional Round.

9. Red Sox advance to ALCS after eliminating Tampa Bay Rays in Game 4 of ALDS.

8. John Lackey outduels Justin Verlander in Game 3 of ALCS.

7. Bruins eliminate New York Rangers in Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5.

6. Big Papi belts clutch grand slam in Game 2 of ALCS versus Detroit Tigers.

5. Boston Bruins erase 4-1 deficit in Game 7 of Eastern Conference Quarterfinals versus Toronto Maple Leafs to complete one of the greatest comebacks in NHL postseason history.

4. Tukka Rask's near-flawless goal-tending in four-game sweep of Pittsburgh Penguins (2 goals allowed in 4 games) in Eastern Conference Finals propels Bruins to second Stanley Cup Final appearance in three years.

3. Shane Victorino's grand slam in Game 6 of ALCS sends Fenway Park into a frenzy; Red Sox clinch American League Championship.

2. Jon Lester's gem versus St. Louis Cardinals (7.1 innings, 4 hits, 1 ER) in Game 5 of World Series pulls Red Sox within a win of their eighth title in franchise history.

1. Koji Uehera closes out the 2013 World Series as Red Sox secure third title in 10 years. The Sox clinched the championship at Fenway Park for the first time since 1918.