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.
A double by Joe Dugan made the difference for the 1927 New York Yankees in a 3-2 victory over the 1972 Oakland A’s.
Trailing by two runs in the top of the fourth, Dugan capped a rally that put the Yankees in front for good.
Lou Gehrig got things started with a single that was followed by another single by Tony Lazzeri. Unfortunately for the A’s, Oakland centerfielder George Hendrick helped the Yankees as he misplayed Lazzeri’s hit and runners were on second and third.
Bob Meusel added an infield single that scored Gehrig and it was 2-1. Dugan’s hit brought home Lazzeri and even Meusel, who raced to the plate from first with what turned out to be the game-winning run.
George Pipgras (9-7) went the distance for the Yankees to get the win as he allowed eight hits with six strikeouts.
Oakland’s runs came in the second and third.
Mike Epstein hit a solo in the second, while the A’s added an unearned tally in the third. Bert Campaneris singled and stole second before reaching third on an error by Gehrig at first. Reggie Jackson hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Campaneris on what should have been the third out.
The A’s did have a chance to come back in the bottom of the ninth as Epstein led off with a double. With two outs, Tim Cullen singled before Pipgras retired pinch-hitter Angel Mangual on a pop up to end the contest.
The Yankees move on to face the 1924 Washington Senators with a four-game series in Griffith Stadium. Waite Hoyt (13-5) gets the start for New York in the opener with Walter Johnson taking the mound for Washington.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (64-44)
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 (11-26)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 44
Roger Maris 41
Babe Ruth 38
Lou Gehrig 27