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.
After falling behind early, the 1927 New York Yankees bounced back on the way to a 13-6 victory over the 1948 Cleveland Indians.
Trailing 4-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth, the Yankees scored six times as they sent a dozen batters to the plate.
Joe Dugan got things underway with a double off Cleveland starter Sam Zoldak. Johnny Grabowski tripled and raced home on a ground out by New York starting pitcher George Pipgras. A RBI double by Mark Koenig tied the affair at 4-4.
With the action happening quickly, Boudreau didn’t have time to get help ready in the bullpen as Lou Gehrig singled and Tony Lazzeri blasted a three-run homer to put the Yankees on top 7-4. Lazzeri has 24 long balls this season.
After a single by Bob Meusel, Boudreau called Bob Muncrief to the mound and he was able to get out of the inning.
Ed Klieman replaced Muncrief to begin the sixth and after he retired a pair of hitters, Babe Ruth smashed a solo shot for his 53rd homer and 124th RBI.
In the seventh, the Yankees went through their entire batting order again as they added five more runs.
Dugan and Pipgras each knocked in a run with a double before Lou Gehrig had a run-scoring single for his 107th RBI.
Lazzeri capped the outburst with a two-run single that made it 13-4 and raised his season RBI total to 102.
The Indians scored twice against Pipgras in the eighth as he was on his way to a complete game.
Ken Keltner homered and Hank Edwards added a run-scoring single, but that was all the Indians could muster against the New York hurler.
Cleveland jumped out to a lead in the second inning as the Indians scored four runs against Pipgras (14-8), who would get the win allowing 12 hits with eight strikeouts.
Keltner drove in the first run with a double, while the second tally came on a ground out by Eddie Robinson.
Back-to-back RBI doubles by Jim Hegan and Zoldak put the Indians up 4-0.
In the third contest of the four-game set, Waite Hoyt (18-6) starts for the Yankees as Bob Lemon gets the ball for the Indians.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (86-53)
1961 New York Yankees (73-65)
1968 Detroit Tigers (22-14)
1948 Cleveland Indians (22-17)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (19-25)
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 53
Lou Gehrig 35