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 1972 Oakland A’s battled back on the way to a 4-3 victory over the 1927 New York Yankees.
An unearned run in the eighth inning was the difference as the A’s erased a 3-0 deficit.
After Bert Campaneris grounded out to begin the frame, Joe Rudi doubled off New York starter Dutch Ruether.
Ruether retired Reggie Jackson on a grounder, but Sal Bando hit a fly ball that New York centerfielder Earle Combs misplayed allowing Rudi to score what turned out to be the winning run.
Vida Blue needed a double play in the top of the ninth as he earned the victory with a complete game. He gave up six hits, walked five and fanned six.
Ruether (3-3) also surrendered six hits as he went the distance with four strikeouts.
The Yankees broke open a scoreless affair in the fourth inning with a pair of runs.
Lou Gehrig led off with a solo homer, which was his 17th long ball of the season. Joe Dugan made it 2-0 with a sacrifice fly.
Pat Collins gave the Yankees a 3-0 advantage in the sixth with a RBI single.
Oakland began it’s comeback as Rudi had a run-scoring double in the in the bottom of the sixth.
In the seventh, Mike Epstein‘s two-run bomb tied the game at 3-3 to set the stage for the A’s winning rally an inning later.
George Pipgras (3-2) is scheduled to start the fourth contest of the five-game series for the Yankees, while Dave Hamilton gets the ball for the A’s.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (26-15)
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 (7-12)
1924 Washington Senators (7-15)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Roger Maris 18
Lou Gehrig 17
Babe Ruth 14
Mickey Mantle 11