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.
All of the runs for the 1948 Cleveland Indians came via the home run in 4-3 victory in 11 innings over the 1961 New York Yankees.
The most critical blast was the pinch-hit solo shot by Thurman Tucker in the top of the 11th that proved to be the game-winner.
New York’s Jim Coates had tossed a scoreless 10th, when Cleveland player-manager Lou Boudreau selected Tucker to bat for reliever Steve Gromek.
Tucker’s swing was all the Indians would need as Russ Christopher shut down the Yankees in the bottom of the 11th to earn a save.
Yankees Grab Lead
Bobby Richardson and Tony Kubek had RBI singles in the third, which gave the Yankees a 2-0 advantage against Cleveland starter Gene Bearden.
In the sixth, Cleveland’s Allie Clark tied the affair with a two-homer off New York starter Ralph Terry.
One inning later, it was Jim Hegan who drilled a solo homer that put the Indians in front 3-2.
Bearden was one out away from a complete game in the bottom of the ninth when he surrendered a run-scoring single to Richardson and it was tied 3-3.
Gromek got the final out of the ninth and tossed the 10th to get the victory. Bearden gave up eight hits and fanned four.
Terry worked eight frames for New York allowing eight hits with four walks and two strikeouts.
Coates (5-4) threw the last two innings for the Yankees and was tagged with the loss.
In the finale of the four-game series, Rollie Sheldon (5-7) will start for New York with Satchel Paige getting the call for the Indians.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (58-42)
1961 New York Yankees (53-47)
1968 Detroit Tigers (14-8)
1948 Cleveland Indians (17-11)
2004 Boston Red Sox (15-17)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (13-17)
1924 Washington Senators (11-19)
2005 Chicago White Sox (8-14)
1972 Oakland A’s (11-25)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 40
Roger Maris 38
Babe Ruth 35
Lou Gehrig 27