seventh. He pitched again the next day, striking out four in innings without giving up a run. He earned manager John McNamara's trust with similarly impressive performances on July 26 and August 1, and on August 3, with the Red Sox leading the Kansas City Royals, 5–3, Schiraldi entered in the ninth inning with runners on first and second and no outs. He struck out the first two batters he faced and retired the third for his first career save. Whereas closing duties had been split between Bob Stanley and Joe Sambito up to that point, Schiraldi emerged as the Bosox's closer for the remainder of the season. He ended the season with a 4–2 record, nine saves, a 1.41 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 51 innings. Schiraldi appeared in four of the seven games of the 1986 American League Championship Series against the California Angels. Although he took the loss in game four, he pitched respectably in the series, striking out five in the final two innings of game seven. 1986 World Series After saving game one of the World Series, Schiraldi entered game six in the bottom of the eighth after Roger Clemens was lifted for a pinch hitter. The Red Sox were ahead, 3–2, but he gave up a game-tying sacrifice fly to Mets catcher Gary Carter. Schiraldi allowed the first two batters to reach base in the ninth but retired the next three. The Sox gave him a two-run lead when he took the mound in the tenth, three outs away from what would have been their first World Series title since 1918. Schiraldi retired the first two batters but allowed three straight singles to Carter, Kevin Mitchell and Ray Knight. Knight's hit knocked in Carter to cut the Red Sox lead to 1 run. Schiraldi was replaced by Bob Stanley, who threw a wild pitch, which allowed Mitchell to score the tying run. Mookie Wilson followed by hitting a ground ball that rolled between the legs of Bill Buckner, scoring Knight and giving the Mets an improbable victory. With the score tied, 3–3, in the seventh inning of game seven, Schiraldi gave up a leadoff home run to Knight, the series MVP. He gave up two more earned runs in just of an inning to take the loss in the series clincher. His ERA for the World Series was 13.50. Chicago Cubs In , Wes