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 pair of doubles in the eighth inning made the difference for the 2004 Boston Red Sox in a 3-2 victory over the 1961 New York Yankees.
David Ortiz led off the frame with his two-bagger against New York starter Bill Stafford. After Jason Varitek struck out, Bill Mueller knocked in what turned out to be the game-winning run for Boston with a double.
Pedro Martinez closed things out in the top of the ninth for a complete game win as he allowed six hits with a walk and eight strikeouts.
Stafford (15-6) worked eight innings giving up 11 hits with two walks, while fanning 10.
Both teams scored in the second inning. Mickey Mantle smashed his 54th homer of the season for New York, while three singles by Varitek, Mueller and Trot Nixon produced a run.
In the fifth, the Yankees scored an unearned run without a hit. Tony Kubek reached on a two-base error by Boston shortstop Orlando Cabrera, which was followed by a miscue by Ortiz at first base on a grounder by Clete Boyer. Roger Maris hit a ground ball to Mark Bellhorn and the only play was at first as Kubek raced home to put the Yankees on top.
Boston answered in the bottom of the fifth on a RBI single by Manny Ramirez that made it 2-2.
Ralph Terry (7-11) gets the start for the Yankees in the third contest of the five-game series as Boston is scheduled to send Tim Wakefield to the mound.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (80-50)
1961 New York Yankees (68-62)
1968 Detroit Tigers (22-14)
1948 Cleveland Indians (21-15)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (15-21)
2004 Boston Red Sox (16-22)
1924 Washington Senators (14-24)
2005 Chicago White Sox (12-22)
1972 Oakland A’s (12-30)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 54
Roger Maris 52
Babe Ruth 48
Lou Gehrig 34