JUPITER, Fla. (AP) – Jon Lester pitched two scoreless innings in his first start of spring training, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 5-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.  Lester retired all six batters he faced, striking out one. He needed 24 pitches – 17 strikes – to get through the two innings, six in the second inning. All but one of Lester’s pitches were fastballs.

Rafael Furcal was the designated hitter for St. Louis. He went 0 for 2 as he is working to return from a strained ligament in his throwing elbow that cut short his season. He recently received a cortisone shot in that elbow to help with a painful bone spur.    Daniel Descalso homered to right in the fifth inning for the Cardinals.