PHILADELPHIA -- Remember the Red Sox' 2013 season opener? The one at Yankee Stadium, where Jonny Gomes scored all the way from second base on a ninth-inning infield groundout?



For much of that season, the Red Sox would periodically refer back to that game in April as one that set the tone for their successful worst-to-first campaign.



It wasn't just the hustle that Gomes exhibited that afternoon. It was the aggressiveness the team displayed, the message they sent. And the way the dugout erupted in celebration in reaction to a relatively meaningless insurance run.



Perhaps, to a lesser degree, the same thing happened for the Red Sox on Monday at Citizens Bank Park.



There wasn't a single, isolated play on which the lopsided 8-0 turned, no small moment that necessarily served as a moment of portent.



But for one game at least, the Red Sox saw some things come to fruition that may bode well over the next six months.



They include:



* The work of Clay Buchholz.



This was the Buchholz the Sox were hoping to see: in command of his full repertoire; working at a quickened pace; and able to make in-game adjustments.



On the few occasions when Buchholz fell out of his delivery, he quickly found himself again. Both his changeup and his curveball - two essential pitches for him -- were sharp and he had the confidence to throw them when he was behind in the count.



For much of his miserable 2014 season, Buchholz couldn't command his secondary pitches, leaving to rely too much on his fastball.



Another encouraging sign: Buchholz was efficient with his pitches, needing 94 pitches to get through seven innings. And he worked quickly, even on the few occasions when the Phils had men on base.



One start, of course, does not a season make. But there were enough positives that Buchholz may benefit from his success and be able to use Monday's outing as a springboard.



* The rebirth of Dustin Pedroia



Pedroia has more home runs after one game this season than he did in the first 29 of last season, and while that may be something of a simplification, it does serve as evidence that Pedroia has rebounded physically.



A year ago, Pedroia didn't have the strength in his wrist to drive the ball. Worse, because of the soreness in his wrist -- suffered in the home opener -- he couldn't lift weight during the season to maintain strength in his upper body.



The result? Career lows in homers and slugging percentage. Pedroia became a singles hitter with the ability to occasionally rope a double.



On Monday, Pedroia took advantage of two fastballs left up in the zone by Cole Hamels and crushed them into the seats in left.



No one is expecting Pedroia to turn into Robinson Cano, with a 30-homer, 100-RBI season. But if Pedroia can provide 15 or so homers and a slugging percentage of, say, .450 or greater, then the Sox will have themselves a true weapon in the No. 2 spot in their lineup.



* The deepening of the lineup.



It would be difficult to overstate just how anemic the Red Sox offense was a year ago. They finished in the lower third of the American League in runs scored and in more than a third of their games, managed two runs or fewer.



When David Ortiz didn't produce last year, the Red Sox were punchless.



On Monday, Ortiz was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, stranding two baserunners. And it didn't matter.



That's because the Red Sox got plenty of contributions ahead of him and behind him in the lineup.



Mookie Betts and Pedroia combined for three runs, three RBI, five hits and were on base six times. Hanley Ramirez, hitting behind Ortiz, belted two homers and knocked in five runs.



Several Red Sox in spring training expressed the belief that this edition of the Sox was deep and powerful enough that it wouldn't need to rely on any one individual to carry the lineup.



That depth was on display Monday. If Ortiz doesn't hit, Ramirez will. Or if Ramirez doesn't, Mike Napoli will. Or Pablo Sandoval.



Simply put, there are enough run producers in the Boston batting order that it's inconceivable the team will go into any long offensive droughts.