RAYS’ GAME 4 RALLY JOINS THESE WILD SERIES ENDINGS
Five World Series games have ended on walk-off plays that involved an error:
GAME 3, 1914
With the score 4-4 at Fenway Park, Boston Braves pinch hitter Hank Gowdy doubles leading off the bottom of the 12th inning against the Philadelphia Athletics’ Joe Bush. Larry Gilbert pinch-hits for Bill James. Les Mann pinch-runs for Gowdy. Gilbert is walked intentionally. Herbie Moran bunts for a sacrifice, and Bush throws wildly to third for an error as Mann scores. The Braves go on to a four-game sweep.
GAME 4, 1969
With the score 1-1 at Shea Stadium, the Mets’ Jerry Grote doubles leading off the bottom of the 10th against the Orioles’ Dick Hall. Rod Gaspar pinch-runs for Grote, and Al Weis is walked intentionally. Pete Richert relieves. J.C. Martin pinch-hits for Tom Seaver. Martin bunts for a sacrifice, and Richert throws wildly to first for an error as Gaspar scores. The Mets take a 3-1 Series lead and win in five games.
GAME 6, 1986
With the Red Sox leading 5-3 in the 10th at Shea Stadium, the Mets tie the score on an RBI single by Ray Knight against Calvin Schiraldi and a wild pitch by Bob Stanley. With two outs and Knight on second, Mookie Wilson hits a grounder that gets past first baseman Bill Buckner as Knight scores. The Mets tie the Series at three games apiece and win in seven games.
GAME 3, 2013
With the Red Sox leading 3-2 in the ninth at Busch Stadium, runners on second and third and one out, the Cardinals’ Jon Jay hits a grounder to diving second baseman Dustin Pedroia. Pedroia makes a sensational stab and throws home to catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who tags out a sliding Yadier Molina. But Saltalamacchia throws wide of third trying to get Allen Craig. The ball glances off third baseman Will Middlebrooks’ glove and Craig’s body, caroming into foul territory down the left-field line. After the ball gets by, Middlebrooks — lying on his stomach — raises both legs and trips Craig, slowing him down as he tries to take off for home. Thirdbase umpire Jim Joyce signals obstruction, an error on Middlebrooks, that allows Craig to score. The Cardinals take a 2-1 lead, but the Red Sox win the title in six games.
GAME 4, 2020
The Dodgers lead 7-6 in the ninth with two outs at neutral-site Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. With Kevin Kiermaier on second and Randy Arozarena on first, Brett Phillips singles to center fielder Chris Taylor, scoring Kiermaier. Taylor bobbles the ball, and Arozarena falls between third and home. First baseman Max Muncy cuts off Taylor’s throw and throws home. Catcher Will Smith swipes a tag, but Arozarena is still between third and home. The ball skips away, and Arozarena scores on the error to tie the Series at 2-2.