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 slugger was the story for the 1927 New York Yankees in an 8-3 victory over the 1970 Baltimore Orioles in the opener of the four-game series at Memorial Stadium.
Ruth blasted three homers giving him 10 on the season as he drove in six runs raising his total in that category to 26.
The contest was scoreless until the top of the third when the Yankees picked up five runs against Orioles starter Dave McNally ending his day.
Earle Combs had a RBI single to bring home the first run. Two batters later Ruth smacked a grand slam and it was 5-0.
In the fifth, Ruth had a solo shot off Pete Richert to make it 6-0.
Baltimore scored its three runs against Yankees starter Urban Shocker in the sixth to cut the deficit in half. Shocker (4-0) would go the distance for the Yankees allowing six hits with four strikeouts.
Paul Blair had a sacrifice fly and Davey Johnson added a RBI single. The final tally came home on an error by Shocker on a ground ball from pinch-hitter Merv Rettenmund.
Eddie Watt worked the final three frames on the mound for the Orioles. He surrendered Ruth’s third homer in the seventh and a RBI triple by Combs in the ninth.
Game two of the series features Wilcy Moore on the mound for the Yankees as Jim Hardin gets the call for the Orioles.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (17-6)
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 (0-1)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Roger Maris 10
Babe Ruth 10
Lou Gehrig 9
Mickey Mantle 7