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.
Denny McLain tossed a three-hitter as the 1968 Detroit Tigers blanked the 1927 New York Yankees 2-0.
McLain retired the first 11 batters before Babe Ruth singled in the fourth inning.
The other hits by the Yankees came from Mark Koenig on a single in the sixth and Lou Gehrig, who doubled in the seventh. McLain fanned a dozen and walked three.
New York starter Waite Hoyt worked eight innings and allowed both runs on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Dutch Ruether pitched a scoreless ninth and gave up a hit.
Detroit scored its first run in the fourth. Mickey Stanley led off with a single and one out later Willie Horton doubled. Norm Cash knocked the run home on a grounder to second.
In seventh, Cash reached second base on an error by New York left fielder Bob Meusel and scored on a double by Bill Freehan.
Herb Pennock (9-12) gets the start for New York in the second contest of the four-game series as the Tigers counter with Earl Wilson.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (90-57)
1961 New York Yankees (78-68)
1968 Detroit Tigers (23-14)
1948 Cleveland Indians (23-21)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (19-25)
2004 Boston Red Sox (17-27)
2005 Chicago White Sox (17-27)
1924 Washington Senators (14-24)
1972 Oakland A’s (12-30)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 62
Babe Ruth 57
Roger Maris 54
Lou Gehrig 36