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 1927 New York Yankees were able to hold off the 1948 Cleveland Indians 6-4 in the second contest of a three-game series.
Three runs in the top of the second inning by the Yankees got things going against Cleveland starter Sam Zoldak.
Earle Combs smacked a two-bagger to drive in the first score, which was followed by a two-run double my Mark Koenig.
In the fifth, the Yankees added another run on a passed ball as Tony Lazzeri raced home when Cleveland catcher Jim Hegan let a pitch get by him to make it 4-0.
Hegan got some redemption in the bottom of the fifth against New York starter George Pipgras as he cut Cleveland’s deficit in half with a two-run single.
Koenig picked up a sacrifice fly off Cleveland reliever Ed Klieman in the sixth to put the Yankees up by three runs.
Cleveland closed the gap to a 5-4 with a run in the seventh and another in the eighth.
Dale Mitchell knocked the talley in the seventh on a ground out, while Indians player-manager Lou Boudreau and Ken Keltner both doubled in the eighth to produce the other run.
Russ Christopher worked a perfect eighth for the Indians, but the Yankees picked up an insurance run in the ninth.
Joe Dugan and Johnny Grabowski began the frame with back-to-back singles before pinch-hitter Ben Paschal doubled to produce the run.
Dutch Ruether took over the pitching duties from Pipgras and gave up a two-out single to Mitchell in the bottom of the ninth, but he earned his seventh save of the season when he retired Thurman Tucker for the final out.
Pipgras (11-7) worked eight innings surrendering 10 hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Zoldak went five innings giving up four runs on nine hits.
Waite Hoyt (15-5) will start for New York in the series finale against Cleveland’s Bob Lemon.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (71-47)
1961 New York Yankees (62-55)
1948 Cleveland Indians (19-14)
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 (11-22)
1972 Oakland A’s (11-27)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 46
Roger Maris 46
Babe Ruth 45
Lou Gehrig 31