Many people hypothesized that this was part of the reason why the Red Sox went 7–20 in September and were eliminated on the last day of the season. Lester was the first to tell what really happened, and stressed that they would only drink when they weren't pitching for that day. Lester was the first of the three starting pitchers to admit to his drinking. In 2012, Lester was again the opening day starter for the Red Sox. Lester's season was very disappointing, posting a 9–14 record, a sub-par 4.82 ERA, and a .273 batting average against. On May 10, 2013, Lester threw a complete game one-hitter, with no walks, against the Toronto Blue Jays, facing just 28 batters. On October 3, 2013, Lester was named as the starting pitcher for the 2013 ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays in the Red Sox first return to the postseason since 2009. The following day, Game 1 of the ALDS took place at Fenway Park with Lester pitching innings with three walks and striking out seven and the Red Sox winning 12–2 (and winning the series 3–1). Lester also tied Josh Beckett's Red Sox Postseason record of 4K's of the first four batters to begin the game. Lester started Game 1 of the 2013 ALCS against the Detroit Tigers on October 12, 2013. He pitched innings with four strikeouts and allowed one run, but was outmatched by a one-hit game put together by the Tigers' pitching staff led by starter Aníbal Sánchez. At Comerica Park on October 17, 2013, Lester again faced Sanchez in Game 5. The Red Sox won 4–3 with Lester pitching 5 innings and showing spectacular defensive skills in the 5th inning throwing out former teammate Jose Iglesias with a glove flip to first base on a bunt attempt. After the Red Sox victory in the ALCS, Lester was selected to start Game 1 of the 2013 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Lester pitched to an 8–1 victory over St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright. Lester then went on to a Game 5 win again over Wainwright giving the Red Sox a series lead of 3–2. The Red Sox won the series in six games. On May 3, 2014, Jon Lester pitched 8 one-hit innings against the Oakland Athletics, where he had a career-high 15 strikeouts. It was the most by a Red Sox pitcher since Josh Beckett in 2010. He was elected to his third all-star game in July 2014 after posting a 2.73 ERA over his first 18 starts of the season.