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.
The 2005 Chicago White Sox got off to a quick start on the way to a 6-4 victory over the 1961 New York Yankees earning a split in the two-game series.
Scott Podsednik led off with a single and one batter later Jermaine Dye smacked a two-run homer off Jim Coates to give the White Sox an early advantage.
In the third, Chicago added a run to make it 3-0. Podsednik walked and stole second before Tadahito Iguchi doubled to drive in the run.
New York got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth to cut its deficit to 3-2 against White Sox starter Orlando Hernandez.
Tony Kubek had a RBI single, while the second tally scored when White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko misplayed a grounder by Roger Maris.
A.J. Pierzynski picked up a run-scoring single for Chicago in the fourth to put the White Sox on top 4-2.
Maris hit his 41st homer of the season in the seventh off Hernandez, who would be in his final frame of the affair as the Yankees trailed by a run. Hernandez would get the win allowing seven hits with six strikeouts.
Tex Clevenger entered the game for Coates in the eighth and shut down the White Sox. However in the ninth, Clevenger got in trouble with four walks. A double play prevented a run from scoring, but it was just a matter of time.
Dye drilled a two-run single to put Chicago’s lead at 6-3.
White Sox closer Dustin Hermanson was called from the bullpen in the ninth to shut the door on the Yankees. Hermamson was able to earn the save, but he did allow a pinch-hit homer to Johnny Blanchard.
Coates (5-5) was tagged with the loss tossing seventh innings giving up six hits with three walks as he fanned eight.
An 18-game road trip is next on the agenda for New York with the first stop being for a single contest against the 1972 Oaklamd A’s. Bud Daley (6-11) gets the ball for the Yankees as the A’s send Dave Hamilton to the mound.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (63-44)
1961 New York Yankees (56-51)
1948 Cleveland Indians (18-12)
1968 Detroit Tigers (18-12)
2004 Boston Red Sox (15-17)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (13-17)
1924 Washington Senators (11-19)
2005 Chicago White Sox (9-17)
1972 Oakland A’s (11-25)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 44
Roger Maris 41
Babe Ruth 38
Lou Gehrig 27