 In game six of the World Series , Boston ( leading the series three games to two ) took a 5 – 3 lead in the top of the 10th inning . In the bottom half of the frame , Red Sox reliever Calvin Schiraldi retired the first two batters , putting the team within one out of winning the World Series . The Mets , however , scored three unanswered runs , tying the game on a wild pitch from Bob Stanley and winning it when Boston first baseman Bill Buckner allowed a ground ball hit by the Mets ' Mookie Wilson to roll through his legs , scoring Ray Knight from second base . In the seventh game , the Red Sox took an early 3 – 0 lead , only to lose 8 – 5 . The collapses in the last two games prompted a series of articles by George Vecsey of The New York Times fueling speculation that the Red Sox were " cursed " . 
