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.
Bill Freehan smashed a pair of homers to lead the 1968 Detroit Tigers to a 4-3 victory over the 1961 New York Yankees.
Freehan’s first blast tied the contest in the second, while his game-winning two-run shot happened in the sixth as the Tigers claimed a 3-1 edge in the series in Yankee Stadium.
Rollie Sheldon (10-11) worked eight innings for the Yankees allowing eight hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. Jim Coates threw a perfect ninth in relief of Sheldon.
Detroit starter Joe Sparma also went eight innings giving up eight hits and five walks with three strikeouts. Don McMahon surrendered single to Tony Kubek in the ninth, but he retired Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle to pick up the save.
In taking three out of four contests, the Tigers won the season series with the Yankees 15-7.
Both teams scored in the first inning as the Yankees held a 2-1 advantage.
Willie Horton had a RBI single for the Tigers, while Kubek and Mantle added solo homers. It was the 63rd long ball for Mantle, while Kubek has nine this season.
After Freehan tied it in the second, the Yankees answered in the third as Bobby Richardson raced home when Mantle grounded out.
In a makeup contest from earlier in the season, New York welcomes the 1972 Oakland A’s to Yankee Stadium with Whitey Ford (16-8) scheduled to start for the home team against Catfish Hunter.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (93-57)
1961 New York Yankees (79-71)
1968 Detroit Tigers (26-18)
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 63
Babe Ruth 59
Roger Maris 55
Lou Gehrig 37