1986 World Series – Game Seven
October 27, 1986 at shea Stadium
Mets 8, Red Sox 5 Mets Win Best of Seven Series 4-3
Rain delayed this game by one day and that appeared to be a boon for the Red Sox as Bruce Hurst, who had won his other two games in the World Series, would be ready to pitch over Oil Can Boyd. Ron Darling took the mound for the Mets.
Neither team scored in the first inning but the Red Sox pummelled Darling in the second. Dwight Evans and Rich Gedman led off with back to back homeruns and then Wade Boggs singled home Dave Henderson to give the Red Sox an early 3-0 lead.
In the meantime, Bruch Hurst was cruising. He gave up only one hit in the first five innings. The Red Sox threatened in the fourth inning and put two men on, but Sid Fernandez relieved Darling and got out of the jam.
The Mets finally figured out Hurst in the fifth inning. Rafael Santana grounded out to lead things off and then Lee Mazillli singled to left. He moved to second on Mookie Wilson’s single and then Tim Teufel loaded the bases when he drew a walk. Keith Hernandez then drove home Mazzilli and Wilson with a single and Wally Backman scored on Gary Carter’s fielders choice to tie the game at 3-3.
Roger McDowell put the Red Sox in order in the seventh inning. Calvin Schiraldi came in to pitch for Bruce Hurst and then the flood gates opened. Ray Knight led off with a homerun and gave the Mets their first lead of the game. Lenny Dykstra then singled and then he moved to second on a wild pitch. Rafael Santana singled home Dykstra and then Santana moved to second on McDowell’s bunt. Joe Sambito relieved Schiraldi and he gave Mookie Wilson a free pass. he then walked Wally Backman to load the bases before Keith Hernandez hit a fly ball far enough to score Santana. The Mets had a 6-3 lead with only two innings to go.
The Red Sox did make things interesting in the eighth. Dwight Evans doubled home Bill Buckner and Jim Rice to cut the lead to 6-5 but Evans was stranded at second base despite getting their with nobody out. This was the closest the Red Sox would get.
Darryl Strawberry hit a solo homerun and then Jesse Orosco singled home Ray Knight to give the Mets an 8-5 lead. Orosco put the Red sox down in order in the ninth inning and struck out Marty Barrett to end the game.
The Mets were the World Champions. Little would Mets’ fans know they’d still be waiting 20 years for another one. This team appeared to be a dynasty but they never got over the hump again.
