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.
One swing by Roger Maris made the difference for the 1961 New York Yankees in a 2-0 victory over the 1924 Washington Senators.
The contest was scoreless when Tony Kubek led off the sixth inning with a single off Washington pitcher Walter Johnson.
Johnson got Clete Boyer to hit a grounder that was nearly a double play, but it brought Maris to the plate with one on base.
Maris cleared the right field fence with his 43rd homer of the season and the Yankees had all of the runs they would need. Maris has 76 RBI this season and trails Mickey Mantle by one long ball for the team lead in homers.
Whitey Ford (13-6) made sure the two runs would be enough as he limited the Senators to four hits. While Ford had some control issues with five walks, he fanned nine as the Yankees turned three double plays to help the cause keeping the lefty out of trouble.
Johnson also went the distance for the Senators allowing seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
In the second affair of the four-game series, Bill Stafford (13-4) will start for New York with George Mogridge going for the Senators.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (65-44)
1961 New York Yankees (58-51)
1948 Cleveland Indians (18-12)
1968 Detroit Tigers (18-12)
2004 Boston Red Sox (15-17)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (13-17)
2005 Chicago White Sox (9-17)
1924 Washington Senators (11-21)
1972 Oakland A’s (11-27)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 44
Roger Maris 43
Babe Ruth 40
Lou Gehrig 27