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 1961 New York Yankees won the finale of a four-game series 4-0 against the 1948 Cleveland Indians at Municipal Stadium.
The victory prevented a sweep by the Indians and ended New York’s five-game losing streak. Bill Stafford‘s shutout was the second of the year for the Yankees with the other by Ralph Terry, which came in a 3-0 win over the 1972 Oakland A’s.
Like Terry, Stafford (5-2) tossed a three-hitter for the Yankees as he lowered his ERA for the season to 2.37. He fanned five and didn’t walk a batter.
Ken Keltner had singles in the second and fifth for the Indians. After Eddie Robinson‘s single in the fifth, Stafford got out of the jam as he induced Jim Hegan to hit into a double play.
Offensively, New York really needed just one inning to put the game away as the Yankees scored three times in the top of the first against Cleveland starter Bob Feller.
With two outs, Roger Maris began the rally with his 16th homer of the season. Mickey Mantle followed with his 10th long ball of the season to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead.
At that point, Feller walked Elston Howard before Yogi Berra singled. Johnny Blanchard capped the outburst with a RBI single.
Feller would settled down and go the distance for the Indians surrendering eight hits with eight strikeouts. Howard’s solo homer in the eighth was the final run of the contest.
New York finishes a stretch of 18 straight road contests with a visit to the 1924 Washington Senators.
Terry (3-1) will get the start for the Yankees, while Tom Zachary is slated for the Senators.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (21-11)
1961 New York Yankees (15-17)
1948 Cleveland Indians (6-2)
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 16
Babe Ruth 12
Lou Gehrig 11
Mickey Mantle 10