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.
An early power surge helped the 1968 Detroit Tigers post a 6-2 victory over the 1961 New York Yankees.
Trailing 2-0 after Roger Maris hit a two-run bomb in the top of the first for his 14th homer of the season that gave the Yankees an early edge, Detroit’s Norm Cash cut the deficit in half for the Tigers with a solo shot in the second.
New York starter Bill Stafford got into serious trouble in the third as his mound counterpart, Earl Wilson, singled to begin the rally. One out later, Mickey Stanley singled to set the stage for Al Kaline.
Kaline responded to the spotlight with a long three-run homer that put the Tigers on top 4-2.
The Tigers added two more runs in the seventh against Tex Clevenger, who had taken over for Stafford.
Stanley walked with the bases loaded before Kaline ended the scoring in the affair with a sacrifice fly.
The Yankees stranded nine runners against Wilson, who went the distance allowing eight hits with three walks and seven strikeouts.
Stafford (4-2) gave up four runs on eight hits as he fanned one.
Ralph Terry (3-0) looks to remain unbeaten as he starts for the Yankees in the finale of the two-game series. Detroit manager Mayo Smith selected Mickey Lolich to take the mound for the Tigers.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1968 Detroit Tigers (2-0)
1927 New York Yankees (19-8)
1961 New York Yankees (14-13)
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)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Roger Maris 14
Babe Ruth 11
Lou Gehrig 10
Mickey Mantle 7