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 late offensive explosion helped the 1927 New York Yankees post an 8-1 victory over the 1972 Oakland A’s.
After the A’s broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the seventh with a tally, but the Yankees answered with three runs in the eighth on their way to a sixth straight win.
With one out, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig had back-to-back singles off A’s starter Vida Blue to set up the scene. After Tony Lazzeri struck out, Bob Meusel smashed a three-run homer to make it 3-1 as Blue’s came to an end.
New York put the game away in the ninth with five runs against Darold Knowles.
Pat Collins and Earle Combs both walked before Mark Koenig grounded out to advance the runners. Ruth singled to drive in a run as Combs raced to third.
Gehrig capped off the frame with a three-run blast for his 33rd homer of the season to give him 98 RBI. Both of Gehrig’s totals are second on the team to Ruth’s 47 homers and 111 RBI.
Wilcy Moore (15-7) went the distance for the Yankees allowing three hit sand a walk with four strikeouts.
Oakland’s only run came in the seventh when Mike Epstein drilled a solo shot to give the A’s a lead that didn’t last very long.
In the finale of the two-game series, George Pipgras (11-7) gets the ball for the Yankees, while Dave Hamilton will start for the A’s.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (78-49)
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 (11-28)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Roger Maris 50
Mickey Mantle 49
Babe Ruth 47
Lou Gehrig 33