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.
Four games into the season, the 1961 New York Yankees remain unbeaten.
Starting pitcher Rollie Sheldon worked into the ninth inning as New York defeated the 2004 Boston Red Sox 5-1 at Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees scored first off Boston starter Derek Lowe in the second inning.
Mickey Mantle walked and then scored on a triple by Yogi Berra. Berra came home on a RBI single by Bill Skowron and it was 2-0.
Boston picked up its tally in the fourth.
Sheldon, who was perfect through the first three innings, gave up a single to Johnny Damon. However, the threat went away as Orlando Cabrera grounded into a double play.
Unfortunately for Sheldon, Manny Ramirez smacked a double and then scored on another double by David Ortiz.
On the upside, Sheldon didn’t give up another hit until Cabrera had a double in the ninth that ended his day.
Luis Arroyo got the final two outs to earn a save.
New York’s powerful offense helped Sheldon put the game away.
Mantle ended Lowe’s day with a two-run blast in the fifth inning to make it 4-1.
Roger Maris got in the act with a solo shot off Mike Timlin for New York’s last run in the seventh.
The second contest of the four-game set will have Bud Daley on the mound for the Yankees, while Bronson Arroyo gets the ball for Boston.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1961 New York Yankees (4-0)
1972 Oakland A’s (3-3)
1927 New York Yankees (1-3)
1924 Washington Senators (0-0)
1948 Cleveland Indians (0-0)
1968 Detroit Tigers (0-0)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (0-0)
2005 Chicago White Sox (0-0)
2004 Boston Red Sox (0-2)