THE CURSE OF THE BAMBINO, PART 9
"IT AIN'T OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER"...
Schiraldi gives up a walk-off HR to Ruben Sierra

August 25, 1986 ... What should have been Roger Clemens' 20th victory of the season turned into a 4-2 nightmare loss to the Texas Rangers in a game that the 24,459 in attendance probably still don't believe.

Clemens didn't lose this game. That distinction went to reliever Calvin Schiraldi, who gave up a two-run homer to rookie Ruben Sierra with two out in the bottom of the ninth. Larry Parrish, who had walked after Schiraldi struck out the first two batters he faced, scored ahead of Sierra.

Clemens also was stung by the home-run ball, losing a 2-0 shutout in the eighth inning with one out. Sierra was involved again, this time beating out an infield single. Then reserve catcher Geno Petralli hit a rocket into the right-field seats, tying the game. Clemens was lifted after eight innings. He threw 126 pitches and yielded four hits. He struck out 10 batters for the 10th time this season.

Boston had taken a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning on a walk to Mike Greenwell, a double by Rich Gedman, and a two-out infield single with the bases loaded by Bill Buckner.

As the game started, Clemens couldn't have asked for a better Texas setting or a better Texas night to bid for his 20th victory. The stands were full of well-wishers, including Clemens' family and college coach. Twice this year, he had been the toast of Texas. He had a no- hitter for 7 2/3 innings here in May, finishing with a two-hitter as the Sox won, 7-1. In July, he pitched three perfect innings and was the winning pitcher for the American League in the All-Star game at Houston.

But to win his 20th, he had to beat a Ranger club that had won its last three games and is very much in contention in the AL West chase, trailing California by three games. His opponent was Bobby Witt of Canton, Mass., who was making his first start since Aug. 13.

Clemens didn't have to worry long about a no-hitter. Pesky Pete O'Brien singled with two outs in the first. But Clemens was still very much in control the first three innings and had the right pitch whenever he got into trouble. In the second inning, leadoff man Gary Ward walked but was forced at second with one out. Clemens was responsible for the forceout, taking Sierra's short hop and making a strong throw to second. The Sox argued that Ward interfered with shortstop Spike Owen's relay throw to first. But it didn't really matter. Moments later Sierra tried to steal second on a pitchout but was thrown out by Gedman.

In the third inning, Oddibe McDowell, who was celebrating his 24th birthday, stroked a double with two outs. But Clemens got Scott Fletcher to fly to right.

Boston had its troubles scoring in the first three innings, also. Buckner got a base hit and Jim Rice walked with two outs in both the first and third innings. But Don Baylor flied to center to end the first bid and was robbed of a base hit by Rangers third baseman Steve Buechele on the other. Buechele made a diving stab to his left to retire Baylor and keep the game scoreless.

Boston got its 2-0 lead in the fourth inning when Witt's control failed. He tied a club record for most walks in a season (113) by issuing a free pass to leadoff man Greenwell. Gedman followed with a double to the gap in left- center. As the ball rolled to the wall, Greenwell scored all the way from first. With one out, Witt broke the Rangers' record with consecutive walks to Wade Boggs and Marty Barrett. That brought up Buckner, who slammed a hard shot up the middle off Witt's body. By the time Witt got to the ball in foul territory off the first-base line, Gedman had scored from third. The inning ended as Rice struck out on a high fastball.

With the lead, Clemens bore down and retired 14 straight batters, and he remained in command until the eighth inning. But then disaster struck in the person of Sierra, who beat out an infield single to short. Petralli, batting for Buechele, then stroked Clemens' first pitch for his second home run of the year.

The next hitter, Toby Harrah, walked. Clemens struck out McDowell, then walked Fletcher, giving Sox manager John McNamara a difficult decision to make. He had thrown 123 pitches at this point, near the end of his usual game, and Schiraldi was ready in the bullpen. McNamara decided to stick with his ace right-hander to finish the inning, and it paid off. O'Brien hit a deep fly to the wall in right-center for the third out.

After, the Sox accomplished nothing in the top of the ninth, Schiraldi came on to watch lightning strike again.