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 total of 15 runs and 27 hits might not have been when one would expect with a pair of aces on the mound in Griffith Stadium.
However, a wild first inning got things going as the 1927 New York Yankees survived to post a 10-5 victory over the 1924 Washington Senators.
The Yankees scored three times in the top of the first off Washington starter Walter Johnson.
Johnson walked Earle Combs and then Mark Koenig singled before Babe Ruth smashed a three-run homer to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead.
Washington answered in the bottom of the frame against New York starter Waite Hoyt as eight Senators came to the plate.
Goose Goslin and Joe Judge had back-to-back RBI singles, while Ossie Bluege tied it on a fielder’s choice.
Both starters worked out of jams over the next two innings, but they each surrendered a run in the fourth.
Bob Meusel singled and went to third on a single by Joe Dugan. Meusel scored when Pat Collins hit into a double play. Earl McNeely responded for the Senators to make it 4-4.
In the fifth, Ruth hit is 40th long ball of the season to drive in his 92nd run. Tony Lazzeri smacked a solo shot in the eighth for New York as the the Yankees led 6-4.
Johnson’s struggle continued in the ninth as the Yankees scored three times before he was sent to the showers.
Koenig had a two-run double and Lou Gehrig added a sacrifice fly. Allen Russell replaced Johnson and he allowed a RBI single by Meusel.
The Senators picked up their final tally when Goslin doubled in the ninth.
Despite getting banged around for 13 hits, Hoyt (14-5) went the distance with three strikeouts and no walks.
New York had a dozen hits off Johnson as he walked three and fanned four when he left with one out in the ninth.
Herb Pennock (6-9) with start the second affair for the Yankees in the four-game series. George Mogridge gets the ball for the Senators.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (65-44)
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 (11-20)
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 40
Lou Gehrig 27