How Red Sox have fared in Game 6

Tonight will mark just the 11th time in the Red Sox' 106-year history that the franchise will appear in the sixth game of a playoff series. Prior to 2004, the Sox were historically known for choking in the clutch, but they have not disappointed when it comes to Game 6, recording a 7-3 record and immeasurable drama.

Oct. 19, 2004: Red Sox 4, at Yankees 2. It was a chance for redemption. And this time - curse or no curse - the Sox refused to let the Yankees, and their new third baseman, beat them again. A 3-0 lead in the American League Championship Series (as well as the pride of beating Boston in the 2003 ALCS) had New York in control. Then the Sox pulled out Games 4 and 5, and turned to Curt Schilling to take the mound, although he had three sutures in his ankle, the result of an injury that had worsened during his Game 1 start. Schilling delivered a seven-inning, one-run gem at Yankee Stadium that sent the series to Game 7. The infamous eighth-inning glove slap by Alex Rodriguez and Schilling's bloody sock became rallying points in a postseason that resulted in Boston breaking its 86-year championship dry spell with a major league-record eight-game playoff winning streak.

Oct. 15, 2003: Red Sox 9, at Yankees 6. Comebacks were a common thread throughout Boston's playoff run, as it overcame a 2-0 series deficit against Oakland in the Division Series with three tense wins, and extended New York the distance in the ALCS by holding off elimination in Game 6. Trailing, 6-4, the Sox got to New York's bullpen for three runs in the seventh (Johnny Damon's bases-loaded walk scoring the go-ahead run) and two in the ninth (on a Trot Nixon homer). The next night would not end so positively.

Oct. 25, 1986: At Mets 6, Red Sox 5 (10 innings). Despite all of Boston's success in 1986, the indelible memory of this World Series is of failure. After winning Games 1, 2, and 5, the Sox scored twice in the top of the 10th inning of Game 6 to come within three outs of their first world championship since 1918. The champagne was ready to flow after two quick outs, but the Mets strung together three hits off a fading Calvin Schiraldi to energize Shea Stadium. Bob Stanley faced just one batter, and the results still evoke heartache: a wild pitch to score the tying run, and Mookie Wilson's grounder slipping between the legs of first baseman Bill Buckner, capping the comeback with a moment frozen in infamy. Once again - and again after Game 7 - the Sox were left waiting.

Oct. 14, 1986: At Red Sox 10, Angels 4. Still cresting off the euphoria of the Dave Henderson-driven comeback in Game 5 a day and a half earlier, the Sox returned home and evened the ALCS, though by the third inning it was apparent the momentum wouldn't change course. The Sox batted around in the inning, driving out Kirk McCaskill with six hits. Oil Can Boyd went seven strong innings for his first, and only, playoff victory.

Oct. 21, 1975: At Red Sox 7, Reds 6. Perhaps the most famous Game 6 in baseball history, one that had the mood in New England in constant change well into the night. The 4-hour-1-minute classic is often recalled in reverse - from Carlton Fisk's leadoff, walkoff homer in the 12th off Fenway's left-field foul pole; to Dwight Evans's homer-saving catch in the 11th; to Cincinnati left fielder George Foster throwing out Denny Doyle at the plate in the ninth; to Bernie Carbo's pinch-hit, two-out, three-run blast to tie it in the eighth; to the Reds getting to a tired Luis Tiant for three runs in the seventh and eighth. Fans had waited out three days of rain to see Game 6, then had less than a day to absorb what they saw as the Reds pulled out Game 7 the next night at Fenway.

Oct. 11, 1967: At Red Sox 8, Cardinals 4. Down, 3-2, in the World Series, the Sox found success in threes in Game 6, as Carl Yastrzemski, Reggie Smith, and Rico Petrocelli all went yard off one-year wonder Dick Hughes in the fourth to set a Series record and give the Sox a 4-2 lead. Although St. Louis tied the game with two runs in the seventh, Boston came roaring back with four in the bottom of the inning, sending 10 batters to the plate and recording six hits to force Game 7. The Cardinals won the series with a 7-2 decision the next day.

Oct. 13, 1946: At Cardinals 4, Red Sox 1. It was almost fitting that St. Louis won Game 6, continuing the teams' trend of alternating victories. And it was definitely appropriate that Harry Brecheen was responsible for forcing Game 7, following up his Game 2 shutout by holding the Sox to a run over nine innings. Boston's Mickey Harris wasn't so fortunate, sent to the showers in the third.

Sept. 11, 1918: At Red Sox 2, Cubs 1. Righthander Carl Mays kept Chicago at bay for nine innings, surrendering one earned run on three hits to deliver the Sox their fifth championship in 15 years. Little did anyone know it would take 86 years to win another.

Oct. 14, 1912: At NY Giants 5, Red Sox 2. A five-run first against Buck O'Brien made it an easy afternoon for Rube Marquard, who coasted with the exception of Boston's two-spot in the second. The best pitcher this day was, in fact, Ray Collins, who threw seven shutout innings of relief for the Sox.

Oct. 8, 1903: At Boston Americans 6, Pirates 3. Player-manager Jimmy Collins got a three-run third rolling with an RBI single and Boston, representing the upstart American League in the first World Series, carried a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh. Pirates stars Tommy Leach and Honus Wagner went 0 for 8 against Bill Dinneen.