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 finally showed some offensive power as they hit three homers and had 13 hits in an 11-4 victory over the 2004 Boston Red Sox.
New York starter Ralph Terry (7-11) survived a rough first inning to toss a complete game as he scattered 11 hits and didn’t walk a batter as he fanned five.
Johnny Damon led off the contest with a homer and Jason Varitek would later follow with a two-run blast as the Red Sox led 3-0 after the top of the first.
The Yankees answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first against Boston starter Tim Wakefield.
Tony Kubek led off with a double and Roger Maris knocked him in with a single. Maris later scored on a single by Yogi Berra as the Yankees trailed by a run.
The third inning would be the last complete frame for Wakefield as he gave up four runs as the Yankees built a 6-3 advantage.
Maris began the rally with a solo homer, which was his team-high 50th of the season. Leading home run chase by one over teammate Mickey Mantle, Maris also has 91 RBI.
Berra would later drill his 20th homer of the season to drive in two runs as the Yankees led by three.
In the fourth, Kubek doubled and scored on a hit by Billy Gardner that Boston’s left fielder Manny Ramirez turned into a double as Wakefield went to the showers.
Alan Embree retired the side as he finished the fourth for the Red Sox, who were now down 7-3.
The sixth clinched the win for the Yankees as Elston Howard drilled a grand slam off Boston reliever Mike Timlin.
Ramiro Mendoza tossed the final two innings for the Red Sox. Wakefield went three innings giving up seven runs on nine hits with two strikeouts.
A solo homer by Trot Nixon in the top of the ninth provided the final run of the contest.
Next up for the Yankees is a trip to the 1972 Oakland A’s for a two-game series.
Rollie Sheldon (8-8) starts for New York as the A’s send Vida Blue to the mound.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (77-49)
1961 New York Yankees (65-61)
1968 Detroit Tigers (22-14)
1948 Cleveland Indians (21-15)
2004 Boston Red Sox (15-19)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (15-21)
1924 Washington Senators (14-24)
2005 Chicago White Sox (11-22)
1972 Oakland A’s (11-27)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Roger Maris 50
Mickey Mantle 49
Babe Ruth 47
Lou Gehrig 32