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 third time really was a charm for Mickey Mantle.
After just missing an opportunity for a pair of homers earlier in the game, Mantle finally hit one in the bottom of the 13th inning that gave the 1961 New York Yankees a 3-1 victory over the 1970 Baltimore Orioles.
Dick Hall was the fourth Baltimore pitcher as he began the 13th by allowing a single by Tony Kubek.
However, Hall was able to retire Clete Boyer with a strikeout and Roger Maris on a fly ball to set the stage for Mantle.
In this moment, Mantle wouldn’t be denied as he blasted his 58th homer of the season as the Yankees celebrated the walk-off victory.
Tex Clevenger (5-4), who tossed a scoreless inning in the top of the 13th, picked up the win for New York.
The Yankees scored their first run in the fourth inning against Baltimore starter Jim Palmer.
Palmer walked Maris and gave up a single to Mantle that put runners on first and third.
Maris was able to run home as the Orioles turned a double play on a grounder by Elston Howard.
Whitey Ford was looking for a complete game as he began the ninth, but the lefty never retired a batter as Frank Robinson singled and Boog Powell walked.
New York manager Ralph Houk called Luis Arroyo from the bullpen.
Arroyo got Merv Rettenmund to hit into a double play, but Brooks Robinson singled and the game was tied at 1-1.
Fron that point, both teams were scoreless until Mantle’s homer.
Pete Richert, who took over for Palmer in the eighth, went two innings and then Eddie Watt tossed three before giving way to Hall.
For the Yankees, Arroyo worked a perfect 10th, while Jim Coates faced six batters in his two frames before Clevenger finished the affair.
Houk sends Bill Stafford (15-6) to the mound for the third contest of the four-game series as Mike Cuellar gets the start for Baltimore.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (83-52)
1961 New York Yankees (72-63)
1968 Detroit Tigers (22-14)
1948 Cleveland Indians (21-15)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (17-23)
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 58
Roger Maris 54
Babe Ruth 50
Lou Gehrig 35