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 appeared to be a little bit dazed after dropping a 6-4 decision to the 1970 Baltimore Orioles.
New York has lost three straight and five out of the last six contests as the Yankees struggle to get clutch hits.
A two-run homer by Frank Robinson off New York starter Bud Daley set the tone for the affair as the Orioles led the entire day.
Elston Howard popped a solo shot off Baltimore starter Tom Phoebus in the second to give the Yankees some life.
The Orioles answered in the third with an unearned run due in part to a pair of errors by New York first baseman Bill Skowron. Boog Powell grounded out to Skowron to produce the run and it was 3-1.
In the fourth, Mickey Mantle cut New York’s deficit to 3-2 as he blasted a homer, which was his 47th of the season. Mantle trails Roger Maris by one in the battle for the team lead in that category.
After Maris grounded out to leave the bases loaded in the top of the sixth, Baltimore picked up two more runs in the sixth as Daley’s time on the mound came to an end.
Elrod Hendricks drilled a two-run homer to give the Orioles a 5-2 advantage.
Both teams scored a runs in the seventh.
New York scored on a passed ball before Maris grounded out to strand another in scoring position, while Frank Robinson added a RBI double of Yankees pitcher Jim Coates.
Clete Boyer brought some enthusiasm to the New York dugout in the top of the ninth as he led off with a homer against Baltimore reliever Pete Rickert.
Pinch-hitter Johnny Blanchard singled to give the Yankees an opportunity to tie the game with one swing.
It didn’t happen as Richert retired Bobby Richardson on a fly ball before fanning Tony Kubek and Maris, who left five runners on base during his at bats.
Phoebus got the win for the Orioles working eight innings allow six hits and striking out seven.
Although Daley (7-14) gave up just five hits with four strikeouts, he was tagged with the loss. Coates gave up a run on three hits, while Tex Clevenger was needed to get the final two outs of the eighth to prevent the Orioles from adding to their lead.
New York ace Whitey Ford (13-8) gets the start for the Yankees, while the Orioles counter with Jim Palmer.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (74-49)
1961 New York Yankees (63-60)
1968 Detroit Tigers (22-14)
1948 Cleveland Indians (21-15)
2004 Boston Red Sox (15-17)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (14-18)
1924 Washington Senators (14-24)
2005 Chicago White Sox (11-22)
1972 Oakland A’s (11-27)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Roger Maris 48
Mickey Mantle 47
Babe Ruth 46
Lou Gehrig 32