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.
A fast start for the 1961 New York Yankees made the difference in a 4-2 victory over the 1970 Baltimore Orioles in Memorial Stadium.
Whitey Ford (3-2) went the distance on the mound for the Yankees and also drove in the first run of the contest in the second inning.
Ford’s RBI ground out was part of a three-run rally against Baltimore starter Jim Palmer that put the Yankees on top. Bobby Richardson knocked in a pair of runs to make it 3-0.
In the third, Roger Maris drilled a solo shot for his 13th homer of the season that gave the Yankees their four-run margin.
Ford surrendered three hits to go with six strikeouts. Two of the hits were by Davey Johnson, while Frank Robinson was responsable for both Baltimore runs.
Robinson hit a solo homer in the fourth and then added a RBI groundout in the eighth.
Palmer went eight innings for the Orioles allowing eight hits with three strikeouts.
Dick Hall tossed a scoreless ninth for Baltimore to keep the contest to within reach for the Orioles, but Ford was perfect in the bottom of the frame to end it.
Bill Stafford (4-1) will start the opener for New York as the Yankees visit the 1968 Detroit Tigers for a two-game series. Earl Wilson has the starting assingment for the Tigers.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (19-7)
1961 New York Yankees (14-12)
2005 Chicago White Sox (3-3)
1972 Oakland A’s (6-8)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (3-5)
2004 Boston Red Sox (4-8)
1924 Washington Senators (3-9)
1948 Cleveland Indians (0-0)
1968 Detroit Tigers (0-0)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Roger Maris 13
Babe Ruth 11
Lou Gehrig 10
Mickey Mantle 7