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 miscue made things interesting, but in the end the 1948 Cleveland Indians were able to hang on for a 3-2 victory over the 1961 New York Yankees.
Heading into the top of the ninth, Cleveland pitcher Sam Zoldak was looking for a complete game as the Indians led by two runs.
After Zoldak retired Yogi Berra on a fly ball, Bill Skowron doubled and Bobby Richardson singled.
Cleveland player-manager Lou Boudreau called Russ Christopher in from the bullpen to shut down the New York rally.
New York manager Ralph Houk selected Johnny Blanchard to pinch-hit for relief pitcher Tex Clevenger.
Blanchard hit a grounder to Boudreau at short, who misplayed the ball allowing Skowron to race home cutting New York’s deficit to one.
As Boudreau (the manager) appeared to be chewing out Boudreau (the player), Christopher collected himself on the mound and ended the contest by getting Tony Kubek to fly out and Clete Boyer to ground out to earn a save.
Zoldak gave up eight hits with a strikeout to pick up the win.
Bud Daley (7-13) worked seven innings for the Yankees as he surrendered eight hits, walked four and fanned six.
Cleveland scored in the bottom of the first to take an early lead on back-to-back doubles by Thurman Tucker and Boudreau.
In the third, the Indians added a run perhaps due to an error by Mickey Mantle.
Boudreau and Joe Gordon begane the frame with singles. On Gordon’s hit, Mantle’s fielding blunder allowed both runners to advance to second and third. Larry Doby follwed with a single that easily scored Boudreau to make it 2-0.
Cleveland’s final run came in the fourth.
Jim Hegan reached on an error by Daley and then he went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Zoldak.
Dale Mitchell singled and Tucker walked to lead the bases. Daley control issues continued as he issued a free pass to Boudreau and it was 3-0.
A solo homer in the sixth by Roger Maris gave New York its first run of the contest. Maris now leads the Yankees with 47 long balls this season. Mantle is next with 46.
In the series finale, Whitey Ford (13-7) starts for the Yankees, while the Indians counter with Bob Lemon.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (71-47)
1961 New York Yankees (62-56)
1948 Cleveland Indians (20-14)
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
Roger Maris 47
Mickey Mantle 46
Babe Ruth 45
Lou Gehrig 31