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.
Lou Gehrig had a pair of big swings as the 1927 New York Yankees defeated the 1972 Oakland A’s 6-3.
After Earle Combs had a RBI triple in the second against Oakland starter Blue Moon Odom, Gehrig made it 2-0 with a run-scoring double.
The A’s were able to answer against New York’s Myles Thomas, who was making his first start of season.
With one out in the top of the fifth, Bert Campaneris singled and then stole second. Joe Rudi reached on a two-base error by Thomas allowing Campaneris to score.
Reggie Jackson tied the contest with a double before Sal Bando‘s sacrifice fly gave the A’s a 3-2 advantage.
It didn’t take the Yankees very long to respond. Babe Ruth walked for the third time in the contest to begin the sixth.
Gehrig’s 16th homer of the season reversed the fortunes of the Yankees making it 4-3.
In the eighth against A’s reliever Darold Knowles, Ruth drilled a two-run blast for his 14th long ball of the season.
Thomas (3-3) went the distance to earn the victory giving up six hits with eight strikeouts. Odom worked seven frames and also allowed six hits with five strikeouts.
Dutch Ruether (3-2) will start for the Yankees in the middle contest of the five-game series, while the A’s counter with Vida Blue.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (26-14)
1961 New York Yankees (20-19)
1948 Cleveland Indians (6-2)
1968 Detroit Tigers (3-1)
2005 Chicago White Sox (3-3)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (3-5)
2004 Boston Red Sox (5-9)
1972 Oakland A’s (6-11)
1924 Washington Senators (7-15)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Roger Maris 18
Lou Gehrig 16
Babe Ruth 14
Mickey Mantle 11