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 early home runs proved to be the difference as the 1970 Baltimore Orioles defeated the 1927 New York Yankees 3-1.
Frank Robinson drilled a homer in the top of the first off New York starter Herb Pennock.
The Yankees attempted to answer in the bottom of the frame, but Baltimore pitcher Mike Cuellar worked out of the jam.
Earle Combs tripled off Cuellar to begin the contest and then one out later Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig both walked as the Yankee Stadium socially distanced crowd made some noise.
Cuellar got Tony Lazzeri to hit a grounder to Boog Powell at first and he fired home to cut down Combs at the plate. Bob Meusel struck out and the threat was over.
Brooks Robinson blasted a solo shot in the second and the Orioles were up 2-0.
Both teams picked up a run in the eighth. Paul Blair led off with a double and then later scored on a two-base error by Yankees shortstop Mark Koenig. Batting for Pennock, Ben Paschal smacked a solo shot for New York.
Cuellar went the distance for Baltimore giving up five hits with five walks and four strikeouts.
Pennock (8-12) would get tagged with the loss as he went eight innings allowing seven hits with four strikeouts. Dutch Ruether tossed in the ninth for New York.
Urban Shocker (16-4) will start in the finale of the four-game set and the season series between the two clubs. Dave McNally gets the ball for the Orioles.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (83-53)
1961 New York Yankees (72-63)
1968 Detroit Tigers (22-14)
1948 Cleveland Indians (21-15)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (18-23)
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