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 rally fell short for the 1961 New York Yankees as they dropped a 5-3 decision to the 1970 Baltimore Orioles.
Baltimore starter and eventual winning pitcher Tom Phoebus held the Yankees scoreless until the ninth.
Elston Howard had a RBI single and then Bill Skowron smacked a two-run homer bringing the Yankees to within two. Bobby Richardson‘s single sent Phoebus to the showers.
After walking pinch-hitter Johnny Blanchard, Pete Richert retired Tony Kubek on a grounder to earn a save for the Orioles.
The Orioles broke open the scoreless affair in the top of the sixth against New York starter Bud Daley.
With two outs, Daley walked Boog Powell before Brooks Robinson took advantage of the situation and drilled a two-run blast.
In the seventh, Daley would be gone without recording an out.
Paul Blair led off with a homer. Don Buford, Frank Robinson and Powell had three straight singles that produced another run to make it 4-0.
Tex Clevenger got a double play and a ground out to end the seventh. He also tossed a perfect eighth for the Yankees before giving way to Jim Coates in the ninth.
Brooks Robinson drove in Baltimore’s final run with a single in the ninth off Coates.
Daley (8-15) was tagged with the loss giving up seven hits and four walks, while fanning eight.
Phoebus allowed eight hits with four walks and two strikeouts.
In the second contest of the four-game series, Whitey Ford (15-8) gets the ball for New York as Jim Palmer starts for the Orioles.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (83-51)
1961 New York Yankees (71-63)
1968 Detroit Tigers (22-14)
1948 Cleveland Indians (21-15)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (16-22)
2004 Boston Red Sox (17-27)
1924 Washington Senators (14-24)
2005 Chicago White Sox (12-22)
1972 Oakland A’s (12-30)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 57
Roger Maris 54
Babe Ruth 49
Lou Gehrig 35