3-1 Comebacks in the Postseason

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Oct 17, 2008

3-1 Comebacks in the Postseason

2007 ALCS, Red Sox defeat Indians

After being shut down by Jake Westbrook and Paul Byrd in Games 3 and 4, the Red Sox hammered Indians' aces C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona the next two games to even the series at three. Game 7 at Fenway was close until Boston exploded for six runs in the seventh inning, sealing another trip to the World Series.

2004 ALCS, Red Sox defeat Yankees (trailed 3-0)

In the series that exorcised "the Curse of the Bambino," the Red Sox came back from a 3 games-to-none deficit, becoming the first team in Major League history to do so. Curt Schilling's bloody sock from Game 6 is the iconic image of the series, but David Ortiz, who had walk-off hits in Games 4 and 5, and Johnny Damon, who hit two home runs in a Game 7 rout, were also heroes.

2003 NLCS, Marlins defeat Cubs

The Cubs were leading 3-0 in Game 6, and were five outs away from their first World Series since 1945 when Steve Bartman changed the series from his seat along the left field line. Aided by Bartman's exuberance, the Marlins went on to score eight runs in the inning, and carried the momentum to a Game 7 win.

1996 NLCS, Braves defeat Cardinals

Atlanta's bats came alive in the final three games of the 1996 NLCS, as the Braves scored 32 runs on 46 hits to dig their way out of a 3-1 hole. The assault was led by series MVP Javy Lopez (pictured) and a 19-year old rookie, Andruw Jones.

1986 ALCS, Red Sox defeat Angels

Don Baylor and Dave Henderson (pictured) hit ninth-inning home runs in Game 5 to pull the Red Sox out of a three-run hole and spark Boston's comeback. The Red Sox won that game in extra innings to send the series back to Boston, then cruised in Games 6 and 7 by a combined score of 18-5.

1985 ALCS, Royals defeat Blue Jays

In the first season that LCS were a best-of-seven, ALCS MVP George Brett (left) powered the Royals to the comeback series win, hammering three home runs as Kansas City won Games 6 and 7 on the road. Catcher Jim Sundberg hit a three-run triple in Game 7 to break it open and send the Royals to their second AL pennant.

1985 World Series, Royals defeat Cardinals

Once again, the Royals fell behind 3-1, and trailed by a run entering the bottom of the ninth of Game 6. But a blown call by first base umpire Don Denkinger allowed Jorge Orta to reach base, igniting a game-winning rally that was capped by Dane Iorg's walk-off, two-run single. Kansas City's Bret Saberhagen built on the momentum the next day, leading his club to an 11-0 win.

1979 World Series, Pirates defeat Orioles

The Orioles scored 17 runs combined in winning Games 3 and 4 in Pittsburgh to take a 3-1 lead, but the "We Are Family" Pirates stuck together and rallied to beat the O's in the Series for the second time in the decade. Willie "Pops" Stargell gave the Pirates the lead in the sixth inning of Game 7 with a long home run off Scott McGregor, one of his four hits on the night, propelling Pittsburgh to its most recent Series title.

1968 World Series, Tigers defeat Cardinals

Overshadowed all year by teammate and 31-game winner Denny McLain, Tigers starter Mickey Lolich (pictured) rescued the Tigers in the World Series, tossing three complete game wins, including one in Game 5 and another in Game 7 on two-days' rest.

1958 World Series, Yankees defeat Braves

Looking to duplicate their Series win over the Yankees from a year ago, the Braves jumped to a 3-1 lead. Bob Turley, who had lasted only 1/3 of an inning in a Game 2 loss, shut out the Braves 7-0 in Game 5 to get the series back to Milwaukee. Once there, he earned a save in Game 6 before returning the next day to pitch 6 2/3 innings of Game 7, getting the win in New York's 6-2 series-clinching victory.

1925 World Series, Pirates defeat Senators

Aided by two late errors by Washington shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh, the Pirates rallied from a 4-0 deficit to beat Walter Johnson in Game 7, denying the Senators their second straight World Series title. Future Hall of Famer Pie Traynor batted .346 in the series with four RBIs to help the Pirates become the first team to win a series after trailing 3 games to 1.