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.
Whitey Ford limited the 1972 Oakland A’s to five hits as the lefty helped the 1961 New York Yankees to an 8-3 season-opening win.
Ford went the distance in the victory at Yankee Stadium with five strikeouts.
Both teams scored a run in the first inning, but it was the Yankees that were able to pull away.
Bert Campaneris singled and stole second before coming home to score on a RBI double by Sal Bando.
Roger Maris tied the affair off A’s starter Catfish Hunter with a two-out solo homer in the bottom off the first.
It was Ford’s bat that gave the Yankees the lead for good in the third frame as he tagged Hunter for a solo blast.
New York picked up its second tally of the inning when Tony Kubek doubled and later scored on a double by Mickey Mantle.
In the sixth, the Yankees ended Hunter’s day. Mantle and Yogi Berra both singled to begin the inning.
Bill Skowron walked and A’s manager Dick Williams called Darold Knowles, who would become a victum was some poor defense.
Elston Howard knocked in a run on a fielder’s choice as A’s second baseman Tim Cullen couldn’t finish off a double play.
Oakland centerfielder Angel Mangual misplayed a ball hit by Clete Boyer that allowed two runs to score and the Yankees led 5-1.
Bobby Richardson added a RBI single to cap the rally, which put New York ahead by five runs.
Mangual atoned for earlier miscue by smacking a solo shot in the eighth.
However, the Yankees would get to A’s reliever Bob Locker for two runs in the eighth. Richardson added another RBI single, while New York second run was unearned.
Reggie Jackson hit a long drive to centerfield in the ninth, but the run proved to be inconsequential.
The Yankees will look for a second straight win in the three-game series with Bill Stafford, while the A’s will counter with Ken Holtzman.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1961 New York Yankees (1-0)
1972 Oakland A’s (1-1)
1924 Washington Senators (0-0)
1948 Cleveland Indians (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)