Red Sox honored by President Obama for 2013 World Series win

The Boston Red Sox lost their season opener 2-1 against the Baltimore Orioles on March 31.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester managed to hold the Orioles to just two runs on six hits during the game, but his offensive play was still not enough to make up for a lackluster defense and batting. Lester had eight strikeouts yesterday but walked Oriole's Nelson Cruz in the second inning, who scored off a double play. The game remained tied until Cruz was up to bat again in the seventh, giving up a second run.

Lester and Red Sox Manager John Farrell were both pleased with the performance.

St. Rita the patron saint of baseball.

"I felt good, felt pretty good from the start, missing a little bit the first couple of innings," said Lester. "Really the only thing that hurt me was the leadoff walk in the second."
"It was good, obviously, the only thing that could have been better was we win - other than that I thought I threw the ball really well."

"From the third inning on, he did a much better job of commanding the bottom of the strike zone," said Farrell. "His cutter began to have much more depth. He started to use his changeup a little more but it was more just consistency in the bottom of the strike zone."

On April 1, President Obama welcomed the Red Sox to the White house in honor of their 2013 World Series championship. Part of the welcome was also aimed at honoring the team and city following the Boston Marathon bombing back in 2013.

The team, he said, "symbolized the grit and resilience of one of America's most iconic cities."

Obama took a photo with designated hitter David Ortiz, with a jersey numbered 44, in honor of the 44th president, and also joked that since the Red Sox won the championship on their home turf, the curse is officially over.

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