Fenway Flashback: 1986 - Home Opener Ends in Disappointment

April 14, 1986: Home Opener Ends in Disappointment

With the bats blazing after exploding in Chicago in the series finale, the Sox headed home, where they welcomed the American League team from the “Show Me State,” the Kansas City Royals. At 3-3, the Red Sox were riding the wave of inconsistency, at least offensively. John McNamara was hoping that the comforts of home would help keep those bats warm for the first home series of 1986 at Fenway.

Pitching Matchup and Lineups

Oil Can Boyd would get the ball for the BoSox in the home opener at Fenway, while the Royals and their manager, Dick Howser, turned to their veteran left-hander, Charlie Leibrandt.

The Red Sox Lineup:

• Dwight Evans (RF)• Wade Boggs (3B)• Bill Buckner (1B)• Jim Rice (LF)• Don Baylor (DH)• Tony Armas (CF)• Rich Gedman (C)• Marty Barrett (2B)• Ed Romero (SS)

Game Recap

The opener got off to an excellent start, with Boyd retiring the Royals in order in the first and Boston stringing a few hits together to take an early 1-0 lead. With one out, Wade Boggs singled to left and moved to second when Leibrandt walked Bill Buckner. After a flyout by Jim Rice for the second out of the inning, Don Baylor delivered a clutch two-out RBI single.

The lead would not last long, though, as Kansas City put together a multi-hit rally of its own in the top of the second to tie the game. Royals second baseman Frank White singled to left with one out and moved to third on a single by the big first baseman, Steve Balboni. Boyd was able to get Darryl Motley to pop out to third, but veteran catcher Jim Sundberg came through with a two-out single of his own to tie the game at…