27 * 61 Replay 31: 61 Yankees at 48 Indians

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.

When a team is struggling, there seems to be many times they can find a way to lose a game.

The 1961 New York Yankees now have a five-game losing streak, after dropping a 5-4 decision in 11 innings to the 1948 Cleveland Indians.

A large crowd at Municipal Stadium was thrilled by Dale Mitchell‘s walk-off single that gave the Indians a comeback victory.

Luis Arroyo (0-3) retired Eddie Robinson and Jim Hegan before the situation quickly went in the wrong direction. Pinch-hitter Thurman Tucker doubled and then Mitchell followed with his game-winner.

Russ Christopher picked up the win as he tossed the final two frames for the Indians giving up a hit with a strikeout.

Looks Like a Win

A win seemed to be in the works for the Yankees as they jumped out to a 3-0 advantage against Cleveland starter Bob Lemon.

Roger Maris hit a two-run blast in the first inning, which was his 15th long ball of the season. In the second, Clete Boyer‘s sacrifice fly put New York ahead by three runs.

New York had an opportunity to break the affair open, but the Yankees left the bases loaded in the fourth.

In the bottom of the fourth, Cleveland tied the contest as the Indians got to New York starter Whitey Ford.

After Joe Gordon singled with one out, Ken Keltner drilled a two-run shot to get the Indians to within a run. Larry Doby responded to the situation with a solo homer that tied it at 3-3.

In the sixth, the Indians scored an unearned run when Robinson had a RBI single.

The Yankees were able to bounce back to make it 4-4 in the seventh. Mickey Mantle tripled to begin the inning and he later scored on an error by Gordon at second base on a grounder by Bill Skowron.

The score remained the same until the bottom of the 11th as Tex Clevenger and Arroyo held off the Indians after Ford went seven innings.

Steve Gromek tossed two innings in relief of Lemon before Christopher came on to finish the contest.

Bill Stafford (4-2) closes out the four-game series on the mound for the Yankees as he hopes to prevent a sweep and end the losing skid. Bob Feller gets the call from Cleveland player-manager Lou Boudreau.

27 * 61 Replay Standings

1927 New York Yankees (21-10)
1961 New York Yankees (14-17)

1948 Cleveland Indians (5-1)
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 15
Babe Ruth 12
Lou Gehrig 10
Mickey Mantle 9