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 scored the most runs of the season in a 17-3 victory over the 1948 Cleveland Indians.
New York hammered out 16 hits, but the Cleveland pitchers also issued 11 walks and the Indians made three errors that led to their demise.
Yankees left fielder Bob Meusel caused a lot of problems for the Indians as he collected six hits in a game for the second time this season.
Meusel had a homer, three doubles and a pair of singles to drive in four runs. He also had six hits earlier in the year in a 16-0 win over the 1924 Washington Senators.
Cleveland starter Bob Lemon had trouble in the first inning as he gave up a double to Mark Koenig, which was followed by a RBI single by Babe Ruth. Lou Gehrig smashed a two-run homer and the Yankees were on their way to a blasting the Indians.
In the third, Meusel had a RBI single to give the Yankees a 4-0 advantage.
Lemon was sent to the showers after getting just one out in the fourth as the Yankees batted around.
After retiring catcher Pat Collins, Lemon lost his control walking New York starting pitcher Waite Hoyt, Earle Combs, Koenig and Ruth to produce a run.
Ed Klieman took over for Lemon and Tony Lazzeri had a two-run single before Meusel drilled a two-run homer and it was 10-0.
Hoyt appeared to be bothered by all of the time on the bench thanks to his offense as he gave up three runs in the bottom of the fourth.
The Indians loaded the bases and Eddie Robinson knocked in the first tally on a ground out. Jim Hegan added a two-run single to finish the scoring for Cleveland.
Steve Gromek blanked the Yankees for two innings, before having problems in the seventh.
Meusel had a single and Joe Dugan doubled before Collins reached on an error by Cleveland third baseman Ken Keltner as a run scored. Hoyt grounded into a double play that allowed Dugan to come home making it 12-3.
Joe Black was the fourth pitcher for the Indians and he tossed a scoreless eighth, but one inning later he took one for the team as 11 New York batters came to the plate.
Collins led off with a single and Hoyt walked for the third time. Combs smashed a ball to center field and Larry Doby misplayed it and both runners scored, while the New York center fielder stopped at third.
Koenig and Lazerri followed with RBI singles. Meusel’s double brought home the final run of the affair.
Hoyt (16-5) finished things off in the ninth allowing a pinch-hit single by Johnny Bernadino. Hoyt gave up 10 hits with a walk and four strikeouts.
Next up for the Yankees is a three-game series at the 1968 Detroit Tigers. Herb Pennock (7-10) starts for New York, while Earl Wilson gets the ball for the Tigers.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (72-47)
1961 New York Yankees (62-56)
1948 Cleveland Indians (20-15)
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 32