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.
Joe Gordon had a big day as he led the 1948 Cleveland Indians to an 8-7 victory over the 1927 New York Yankees at Municipal Stadium.
Gordon hit a grand slam and a two-run homer to give the Indians an early advantage before a comeback effort by the Yankees fell short.
The Indians scored twice in the first inning off New York starter Waite Hoyt.
Lou Boudreau had a run-scoring single, while the Indians scored when Gordon grounded into a double play.
In the third, it was time for Gordon’s first long ball.
Cleveland starting pitcher Bob Lemon, Dale Mitchell and Allie Clark began the frame with singles to load the bases.
With the New York infield playing in defensively, Boudreau grounded to second baseman Tony Lazzeri, who fired home to get the first out. Gordon followed by drilling his blast to put the Indians on top 6-0.
The Yankees finally answered with a pair of runs in the fourth on a RBI ground out by Lazzeri and a single by Joe Dugan that made it 6-2.
Babe Ruth added a run-scoring single in the fifth as the Yankees trailed 6-3.
Hoyt’s day came to an end in the bottom of the fifth as he gave up a single to Boudreau and then Gordon’s second drive over the fence as the Indians led 8-3.
New York rallied in the seventh to close its deficit to a run.
After pinch-hitter Ray Morehart doubled and Earle Combs walked, Lemon was removed in favor of Ed Klieman.
Mark Koenig knocked in a run on a fielder’s choice before Ruth added a RBI double. The final two runs came home on a double by Bob Meusel.
Lemon picked up the win with six innings of work. He surrendered five runs on eight hits with four strikeouts.
Hoyt (3-3) left the mound after four innings as he gave up eight runs on 11 hits with one strikeout. He was followed by Wilcy Moore and Myles Thomas, who both tossed two scoreless innings.
Klieman worked the eighth before Russ Christopher earned the save in the ninth as he induced Lou Gehrig to hit into a game-ending double play.
Bill Stafford (4-2) gets the ball from New York manager Ralph Houk in the finale of the four-game series, while the Indians will counter with Bob Feller.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (21-10)
1961 New York Yankees (14-16)
1948 Cleveland Indians (4-1)
1968 Detroit Tigers (3-1)
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)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Roger Maris 14
Babe Ruth 12
Lou Gehrig 10
Mickey Mantle 9