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.
Luis Arroyo was able to hold off a rally in the ninth as the 1961 New York Yankees posted a 5-4 victory over the 1972 Oakland A’s.
With the Yankees up by a run, Arroyo replaced New York starter Bud Daley. The Yankee relief ace fanned Gene Tenace and George Hendrick before getting in trouble.
Tim Cullen reached on an error by New York shortstop Tony Kubek, which allowed Oakland manager Dick Williams to select Don Mincher to pinch-hit.
Arroyo struggled with some close pitches as the patient Mincher worked a walk.
Bert Campaneris, who had a single and a stolen base against Daley earlier in the affair. Arroyo was able to strikeout Campaneris earning his 12th save of the season for New York.
Oakland took an early lead on back-to-back doubles by Sal Bando and Mike Epstein in the second.
The Yankees tied it in the fourth as they loaded the bases against Oakland starter Dave Hamilton. Elston Howard hit into a double play, but Clete Boyer scored to make it 1-1.
Hendrick answered for the A’s with a solo homer in the bottom of the fourth and it was 2-1.
In the fifth, two errors by Campaneris and a walk to Kubek fulled the bases. Boyer’s sacrifice fly tied the contest and then Roger Maris gave the Yankees a 3-2 advantage with a RBI double.
Boyer began the seventh with a double and then Maris smacked his 42nd homer of the season as the Yankees were in front 5-2.
Daley (7-11) went eight innings to get the win as he allowed eight hits with six strikeouts.
The A’s were able to get closer as Daley became tired. Cullen homered in the seventh before Jackson blasted one in the eight to get the A’s to within a run.
Hamilton was tagged with the loss for Oakland as he went seven innings giving up seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Bob Locker worked the final two scoreless frames for the A’s surrendering a pair of hits.
Next up for the Yankees is a visit to the 1924 Washington Senators. Whitey Ford will start the opener of the four-game series for New York, while the Senators counter with Walter Johnson.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (64-44)
1961 New York Yankees (57-51)
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 (11-27)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 44
Roger Maris 42
Babe Ruth 38
Lou Gehrig 27