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 Stafford was great in the beginning and at the end as the 1961 New York Yankees posted a 4-3 win over the 2005 Chicago White Sox to salvage the finale of a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field.
Stafford (4-1) went the distance as he helped the Yankees avoid a sweep by allowing three runs on five hits with six strikeouts.
The Yankees scored quickly against White Sox starter Freddy Garcia in the top of the first as Roger Maris blasted a two-run shot that was his 10th homer of the season.
Johnny Blanchard‘s RBI single in the fourth gave the Yankees a 3-0 advantage.
On the mound, Stafford retired the first 12 batters he faced before walking Paul Konerko to begin the bottom of the fifth.
A.J. Pierzynski followed with the first hit as his single moved Konerko to third. Aaron Rowand‘s sacrifice fly cut Chicago’s deficit to 3-1.
After Stafford induced Joe Crede to hit a fly ball for the second out, Juan Uribe doubled to make it 3-2.
Konerko tied the affair at 3-3 with a RBI ground out, which started another string for Stafford as he retired the next 10 batters to shut down the White Sox the rest of the way.
Garcia got in trouble in the eighth and Yogi Berra‘s sacrifice fly proved to be the winning run.
Next up for the Yankees is a trip to the 1970 Baltimore Orioles
Ralph Terry starts the opener of the four-game series for the Yankees at Memorial Stadium, while Baltimore manager Earl Weaver counters with Dave McNally.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (16-6)
1961 New York Yankees (12-10)
2005 Chicago White Sox (3-3)
1972 Oakland A’s (6-8)
2004 Boston Red Sox (4-8)
1924 Washington Senators (3-9)
1948 Cleveland Indians (0-0)
1968 Detroit Tigers (0-0)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (0-0)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Roger Maris 10
Lou Gehrig 9
Babe Ruth 7
Mickey Mantle 7