Editor’s note: The 27 * 61 Yankees Replay games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will not be used for any games. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur.
Catfish Hunter surprised the 1927 New York Yankees with a complete game as he led the 1972 Oakland A’s to a 5-1 season-opening victory.
After New York scored a run in the first inning, Hunter silenced the Yankee Stadium opening day crowd the rest of the way giving up eight hits with eight strikeouts.
Babe Ruth doubled with two outs and moved to third on an error before Bob Meusel‘s RBI single gave the Yankees the lead.
Oakland tied the game in the top of the second when Mike Epstein led off with a homer against New York starter Waite Hoyt.
Tim Cullen gave the A’s the lead for good with a two-run double in the fourth to make it 3-1.
In the seventh, Bert Campaneris singled and swiped second before scoring on a RBI single by Reggie Jackson.
Jackson hit a solo homer in the ninth for the final tally in the affair.
The two teams meet in the middle contest of their three-game series. Herb Pennock is set to start for the Yankees, while Ken Holtzman gets the ball for the A’s.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1972 Oakland A’s (1-0)
1924 Washington Senators (0-0)
1948 Cleveland Indians (0-0)
1961 New York Yankees (0-0)
1968 Detroit Tigers (0-0)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (0-0)
2004 Boston Red Sox (0-0)
2005 Chicago White Sox (0-0)
1927 New York Yankees (0-1)