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.
The 1961 New York Yankees had a power surge in a 4-3 victory over the 1924 Washington Senators.
All four of the New York runs came via the long ball as the Yankees took the excitement away from the throng of fans inhabiting Griffith Stadium.
The Yankees were down 3-1 heading into the top of the seventh against Washington starter Walter Johnson.
Roger Maris began the frame with a single and then Mickey Mantle followed with his fifth homer of the season, which was a two-run blast to tie the affair.
Yogi Berra broke the tie with a solo shot that put the Yankees on top for good. It was his fourth homer of the season.
Whitey Ford tossed a complete game for the Yankees as he allowed five hits with two strikeouts and a pair of walks.
The Senators began the contest with an early lead as Earl McNeely tripled to start the game. He would later score the first run when Sam Rice grounded into a double play that was started by Ford.
Both teams scored in the fourth. Maris tied it with a solo homer, which was his seventh of the season.
The Senators added an unearned run in their half of the frame. Rice ended up at second as Ford had trouble with a grounder. Goose Goslin singled and Rice raced home to make it 2-1.
In the sixth, Washington made it 3-1 as Goslin tripled with one out. Tommy Taylor, who entered the game when Roger Peckinpaugh was injured, hit a sacrifice fly that put the Senators up by two runs.
Elston Howard led the Yankees with three hits, while Goslin had three hits for Washington. Maris and Berra both had a pair of hits for New York.
Bill Stafford will be on the mound for the Yankees in the second contest of the four-game series, while George Mogridge starts for Washington.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (11-5)
1961 New York Yankees (9-7)
1972 Oakland A’s (6-8)
2004 Boston Red Sox (4-8)
1924 Washington Senators (2-4)
1948 Cleveland Indians (0-0)
1968 Detroit Tigers (0-0)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (0-0)
2005 Chicago White Sox (0-0)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Lou Gehrig 7
Roger Maris 7
Babe Ruth 5
Mickey Mantle 5