Red Sox @ Cardinals - World Series Game 4 , October 27, 2004
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Start Time: 7:26 p.m.
Local Attendance: 52,037
Venue: Busch Stadium II
Game Duration: 3:14
Night Game, on grass
How the game unfolded
- 1st inning:
- The Red Sox wasted no time. Johnny Damon led off with a solo home run off Jason Marquis, immediately putting Boston up 1–0.
- 3rd inning:
- Trot Nixon doubled to drive in two runs, stretching the lead to 3–0.
- 7th inning:
- The Sox added insurance when Ortiz was intentionally walked and then Jason Varitek grounded into a force play that scored another run. It was now 4–0.
- Meanwhile, Derek Lowe was magnificent for Boston.
- He pitched 7 shutout innings, giving up just 3 hits, keeping the Cardinals lineup (including Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds) off balance all night.
- 8th & 9th innings:
- Mike Timlin and Keith Foulke closed it out, with Foulke inducing Edgar Rentería to ground back to the mound for the final out.
🏆 Final score:
Red Sox 3, Cardinals 0
(Note: Often reported as 4–0 overall in the series, with this game itself being 3–0; however, the correct Game 4 final score was 3–0.)
⭐ Key performances:
- Derek Lowe: 7 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, winning pitcher in the clincher.
- Johnny Damon: Leadoff HR set the tone.
- Trot Nixon: Big 2-run double in the 3rd.
- Keith Foulke: Nailed down the save, fielding the final out himself.
⚾ Historic notes
- This game clinched the Red Sox’s first World Series title since 1918, breaking the infamous 86-year “Curse of the Bambino.”
- Boston swept the Cardinals 4–0, dominating the series after their miraculous comeback from down 0–3 in the ALCS vs. the Yankees.
- It sparked massive celebrations in New England, with long-suffering fans finally seeing their team crowned champions.
