page_title: 2013 Boston Red Sox season
section_title: April
hierarchical_section_title: 2013 Boston Red Sox season / Regular Season highlights / April
caption_attribution_description: English: The "B Strong" badge used by the Boston Red Sox during their 2013 season to show their support for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.
context_page_description: The 2013 Boston Red Sox season was the 113th season in the franchise's Major League Baseball history. Under new manager John Farrell, the Red Sox finished first in the American League East with a record of 97 wins and 65 losses. In the postseason, the Red Sox first defeated the AL wild card Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS. In the ALCS, the Red Sox defeated the American League Central champion Detroit Tigers in six games. Advancing to the World Series, the Red Sox defeated the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals in six games, to capture the franchise's eighth championship overall and third in ten years. The Red Sox became the second team to win the World Series the season after finishing last in their division; the first had been the 1991 Minnesota Twins. Amazing postseasons offensively from David Ortiz and Jacoby Ellsbury helped lead the way along with great pitching from Jon Lester, John Lackey and Jake Peavy.
context_section_description: Following their Opening Day triumph, the Red Sox improved to 2–0 on Wednesday, April 3, in the second tilt of the three-game series, in a game that saw offseason acquisition Joel Hanrahan rack up his first save as a Red Sox. Boston failed to complete the sweep, however, with starting pitcher Ryan Dempster relinquishing a 4–2 defeat in his Red Sox debut the following evening.  In Toronto, the Sox split the first two games of a series against the Blue Jays on April 5 and 6, winning 6–4 in the first frame and falling 5–0 in the second.  Boston was then victorious in the rubber game, shutting out the Jays 13–0.
  The Red Sox won their fourth straight against the Cleveland Indians on April 16. The Red Sox and Indians wore black armbands to honor the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. A giant American flag flew at half-mast before the series opener with a moment of silence prior to the first pitch. A young Indians fan presented the Red Sox with a sign he wrote in red ink and ornamented with hearts. The note, which was hung in Boston's dugout, read: "From our city to your city: Our hearts and prayers go out to you, Boston. Love, Cleveland." For the entire game, a jersey with No. 617 (one of Boston's area codes), displaying "Boston" above the numerals and "Strong" below them, hung in the Sox' dugout. Additionally, to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day, both teams wore No. 42 jerseys. The Red Sox also placed closer Joel Hanrahan on the disabled list with a hamstring injury.
  The Red Sox swept two consecutive series between April 13–18. One at home against the Tampa Bay Rays and another on the road against the Cleveland Indians, resulting in a six-game winning streak which improved their record to 11–4, and put them in first place in the American League East.
  The Red Sox had a scheduled weekend series against the Kansas City Royals during April 19–21. The immediate Greater Boston area went on a citywide lockdown in search of a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing on the morning of April 19 and the first game of the weekend was postponed. The Red Sox reported the decision was made "to support efforts of law enforcement officers." A make-up date for the game was not immediately announced.
  However, with the second suspect captured that same evening and Fenway Park under tight security, play resumed Saturday, April 20 with a win of 4–3 by Boston over the Royals (assisted by a go-ahead three run home run by Daniel Nava). Both teams honored the victims of the bombing tragedy by wearing special uniforms/logos. The Red Sox wore white home jerseys with "Boston" on the front instead of the customary "Red Sox" while Kansas City players and staff wore a "B Strong" patch on the front of their jerseys, with the shirts being auctioned off for funds to support victims of the bombing. Following a pregame ceremony, the Red Sox won their sixth straight game, their best start in 11 years with the win against Kansas City. David Ortiz was bothered by inflammation in both heels during spring training and didn't play in any exhibition games, but he was 2 for 4 in his return, tying the score 1-all with a sixth-inning RBI single off James Shields. The Red Sox later announced Friday's (April 19) game would be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader on Sunday (April 21). The regularly scheduled game took place at 1:35 p.m., and a nightcap at 7 p.m.
  On April 21, Kansas City ended Boston's seven-game winning streak with a 4–2 win over the Red Sox in the opener of a day-night doubleheader. The Royals ended a season-opening streak of 16 games by Red Sox starters allowing three runs or less, tying an AL record achieved by the Oakland Athletics in 1978 and 1981. Red Sox RF Shane Victorino missed his first game of the season after leaving the game on April 20 with back spasms.
  In the second game of the doubleheader, Kansas City narrowly beat Boston 5–4 in 10 innings to win the weekend series (and sweep the doubleheader), as a result of Lorenzo Cain walking with two outs and bases loaded in the 10th inning. Even with both wins against the Red Sox on April 21, B
caption: Patch worn in memory of Boston Marathon Bombing Victims
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