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.
Bill Stafford tossed his fourth shutout of the season as the 1961 New York Yankees beat the 1968 Detroit Tigers 6-0.
The complete game victory for Stafford was also his second three-hitter as he beat the 1948 Cleveland Indians 4-0 on the road.
Stafford (15-5) fanned six and walked three as he blanked the Tigers to lower his ERA to 2.16.
Not known as a team that manufactures a lot of runs, Yankees scored their first tally in the top of the third on a RBI ground out by Stafford. The second of the inning came home on an error by Don Wert, who misplayed a grounder by Tony Kubek.
New York added three more runs in the fourth to make it 5-0.
Detroit starter Earl Wilson walked Mickey Mantle to begin the frame before Elston Howard singled and Yogi Berra followed with a RBI single.
Bill Skowron picked up a sacrifice fly, while Bobby Richardson tripled to drive in the last run.
The final tally for the Yankees came in the fifth when Clete Boyer doubled and Roger Maris brought him home with a single.
Wilson went four innings for the Tigers allowing all six runs on eight hits with three strikeouts. John Hiller, Pat Dobson and Daryl Patterson shutout the Yankees the rest of the way on two hits.
Detroit’s offense really had just one chance to score. Norm Cash walked and Bill Freehan singled with one out to put runners at first and third in the fifth. However, Wert grounded into a double play started by Boyer and the threat was over.
The second contest of the three-game series features Ralph Terry (6-10) on the mound for the Yankees with Mickey Lolich getting the ball for the Tigers.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (72-48)
1961 New York Yankees (63-57)
1968 Detroit Tigers (19-13)
1948 Cleveland Indians (21-15)
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