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 a second straight game with a pitcher making his first start of the season.
One day after Jim Coates earned a victory for the Yankees, it was Tex Clevenger who went the distance this time to beat the 1972 Oakland A’s 9-3.
Clevenger (1-1) gave up five hits with seven strikeouts
In addition to Clevenger, Bill Skowron provided the offensive boost with three hits including a homer as he drove in four runs.
The A’s scored an unearned run in the first as Bert Campaneris reached on a two-base error by New York shortstop Tony Kubek. Reggie Jackson knocked in Campaneris with a single.
It was time for Skowron in the third. With one out, Elston Howard singled and Yogi Berra walked to set the stage for a three-run bomb from the New York first baseman.
A RBI double by Bobby Richardson in the fourth added to the New York advantage.
Oakland starter Blue Moon Odom didn’t make it out of the fifth and the Yankees sent nine batters to the plate and scored five times.
Berra and Skowron had RBI singles to make it 6-1. Richardson followed with double tha scored a run to end Odom’s day.
After Bob Locker fanned Clevenger, Kubek closed out the rally with a two-run single that made it 9-1.
Sal Bando‘s two-run homer in the eighth provided the final offensive output for the A’s.
New York starts Rollie Sheldon (1-4) in the middle contest of the five-game series, while the A’s send Vida Blue to the mound.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (26-14)
1961 New York Yankees (21-19)
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 (6-12)
1924 Washington Senators (7-15)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Roger Maris 18
Lou Gehrig 16
Babe Ruth 14
Mickey Mantle 11