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 1927 New York Yankees were able to outlast the 1970 Baltimore Orioles in the opener of the four-game series at Memorial Stadium thanks to Roger Maris.
Maris hit his 11th long ball of the season to give the Yankees a 12-inning 5-4 victory over the Orioles.
After the Orioles had left the bases loaded in the bottom of the 11th, Dick Hall was sent to the mound by Baltimore manager Earl Weaver and he was greeted by Maris with the decisive solo homer.
Jim Coates (2-1), who struggled in the 11th, slammed the door in the 12th to pick up the victory for the Yankees.
All of the other scoring took place in the first four innings.
The Yankees had an unearned run in the first, while the Orioles had a RBI single by Paul Blair.
Tony Kubek added a run-scoring single in the second before Elston Howard homered in the third to put the Yankees on top 3-1.
Frank Robinson hit a solo homer in the bottom of the third to pull the Orioles to within a run.
Both teams scored in the fourth as the game would be tied at 4-4.
With his second of four hits, Kubek had a RBI double for the Yankees and Elrod Hendricks hammered a two-run single in the bottom of the frame to tie it.
Despite the early offense, both starting pitchers went late into the game.
New York’s Ralph Terry worked eight innings and gave up eight hits with two strikeouts before giving way to Luis Arroyo, who tossed two scoreless frames.
Baltimore’s Dave McNally threw nine innings and allowed nine hits with three strikeouts. Pete Richert pitched the 10th and 11th for the Orioles before Weaver summoned Hall.
The Yankees will have Rollie Sheldon on the mound in the second contest of the four-game series, Jim Hardin gets the call for the Orioles.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (17-6)
1961 New York Yankees (13-10)
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 (0-2)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Roger Maris 11
Babe Ruth 10
Lou Gehrig 9
Mickey Mantle 7