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 1961 New York Yankees had a power surge for their struggling offense, but it proved to be too late as they fell 5-3 to the 2005 Chicago White Sox in Comiskey Park.
New York pitcher Whitey Ford (13-7) perhaps deserved a better fate as he allowed just four hits, while fanning 10 in eight innings.
Chicago scored its first tally in the third without a hit as Juan Uribe reached second on an error by New York shortstop Tony Kubek.
Uribe moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle and then scored on a grounder by Scott Podsednik.
The scored remained the same until the bottom of the sixth when the White Sox in a big way.
Podsednik walked and Tadahito Iguchi singled before Ford issued a free pass to Jermaine Dye, which loaded the bases.
Paul Konerko turned a mistake pitch by Ford into a grand slam as the White Sox led 5-0.
New York had a 7-4 edge in hits, but the Yankees couldn’t get anything going until the top of the seventh.
Roger Maris doubled to begin the frame and Mickey Mantle smashed his 45th homer of the season. Mantle leads the Yankees with 104 RBI.
Hector Lopez hit a solo homer in the eighth for his first long ball of the season.
Buehrle went the distance for Chicago as he struck out seven as he worked out of some minor jams as the New York offense sputtered.
Bill Stafford (13-5) will start the third contest for the Yankees in the four-game series, while Freddy Garcia takes the mound for the White Sox as they look for a third straight victory.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (68-46)
1961 New York Yankees (60-54)
1948 Cleveland Indians (18-12)
1968 Detroit Tigers (18-12)
2004 Boston Red Sox (15-17)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (13-17)
1924 Washington Senators (14-24)
2005 Chicago White Sox (11-19)
1972 Oakland A’s (11-27)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 45
Roger Maris 44
Babe Ruth 42
Lou Gehrig 29