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.
It didn’t take very long for the 1961 New York Yankees to grab control on the way to a 10-5 victory over the 1948 Cleveland Indians.
The Yankees got to Cleveland starter Sam Zoldak in the first inning with five runs as a pair of homers highlighted the outburst.
Mickey Mantle drilled a three-run blast for his 59th long ball of the season, while Yogi Berra smacked a two-run shot for his 22nd.
Steve Gromek took over on the mound four Cleveland and fanned Bill Skowron and Bobby Richardson to end the frame.
Both teams scored a run in the fourth.
Eddie Robinson singled and Berra’s miscue in left field led to Cleveland player-manager Lou Boudreau racing home to make it 5-1.
Back-to-back doubles by Richardson and New York starting pitcher Bud Daley gave the Yankees another run.
Richardson hit a two-run homer in the sixth, which was his second of the season.
Larry Doby had a sacrifice fly for Cleveland in the eighth, while the Yankees picked up two runs on the 23rd homer of the year by Skowron.
Daley (9-15) was looking for a complete game heading into the ninth, but he wouldn’t retire a batter.
Robinson led off with a solo homer, while Jim Hegan singled and pinch-hitter Allie Clark walked to end as Daley was sent to the showers.
Boudreau doubled to drive in a run off Yankees reliever Jim Coates, while Joe Gordon produced the final tally for the Indians with a single.
Whitey Ford (15-8) gets the ball for the Yankees in the third contest of the four-game series, while the Indians counter with Bob Lemon.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (86-53)
1961 New York Yankees (74-65)
1968 Detroit Tigers (22-14)
1948 Cleveland Indians (22-18)
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 59
Roger Maris 54
Babe Ruth 53
Lou Gehrig 35