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 1948 Cleveland Indians sent 10 batters to the plate in the eighth inning as they scored six times to post a 6-4 victory over the 1961 New York Yankees in Municipal Stadium.
Trailing 3-0, Jim Hegan began the eighth with a triple against New York starter Rollie Sheldon.
Cleveland pinch-hitter Thurman Tucker popped up to Yankees shortstop Tony Kubek before things went bad for Sheldon.
Dale Mitchell had a single to drive in Hegan for Cleveland’s first run. Allie Clark walked and Lou Boudreau doubled to score Mitchell.
After Sheldon walked Joe Gordon, New York manager Ralph Houk had enough and summoned Luis Arroyo from the bullpen.
Ken Keltner greeted Arroyo with a two-run single that put the Indians on top 4-3.
Eddie Robinson added to the Cleveland advantage with a double that produced two more runs.
Indians starter Sam Zoldak worked eight innings to get the win. He gave up 11 hits with two walks and a four strikeouts.
Steve Gromek worked the ninth to pick up a save despite allowing a run-scoring single by Mickey Mantle for the last tally of the affair.
A scoreless contest after three innings, Mantle gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth with solo homer off Zoldak.
Mantle’s ninth long ball of the season ended a bit of frustration for New York as the Yankees had four hits and a walk in the first three frames.
The Yankees couldn’t score because of a pair of Cleveland double plays as they left seven runners on base. Overall, the Yankees would strand 11 runners during the contest.
Roger Maris put the Yankees ahead by two runs in the fifth with a RBI single, before Mantle’s double in the seventh produced another tally to make it 3-0.
Bud Daley gets the start for the Yankees in the second game of four in the series. Joe Black will be on the mound for the Indians.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (21-8)
1961 New York Yankees (14-15)
1968 Detroit Tigers (3-1)
2005 Chicago White Sox (3-3)
1948 Cleveland Indians (1-1)
1972 Oakland A’s (6-8)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (3-5)
2004 Boston Red Sox (4-8)
1924 Washington Senators (3-9)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Roger Maris 14
Babe Ruth 12
Lou Gehrig 10
Mickey Mantle 9