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.
Rollie Sheldon had his best performance of the season as he led the 1961 New York Yankees to an 8-0 victory over the 1972 Oakland A’s.
Sheldon (2-3) tossed a two-hitter as he went the distance for the first time with six strikeouts.
George Hendrick had a single in the bottom of the third for Oakland, while A’s starting pitcher Vida Blue doubled in the sixth.
The Yankees got started early as Clete Boyer singled off Blue in the first inning before Roger Maris drilled a two-run homer to put the Yankees on top 2-0. It was the 19th long ball of the season for Maris, who also leads New York with 32 RBI.
Yogi Berra‘s sacrifice fly made it 3-0 in the third.
In the sixth, Bill Skowron added to the advantage for New York with a run-scoring single.
New York scored three times in the seventh against Blue and Darold Knowles as Elston Howard knocked in a pair runs with a single before the final tally came on an error by Oakland shortstop Bert Campaneris.
With his third hit of the contest, Howard added a solo homer in the ninth off Bob Locker, which was his seventh of the season.
Bud Daley (2-3) will start for New York in the fourth contest of the five-game series, while the A’s counter with Dave Hamilton.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (26-15)
1961 New York Yankees (22-19)
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 (7-13)
1924 Washington Senators (7-15)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Roger Maris 19
Lou Gehrig 17
Babe Ruth 14
Mickey Mantle 11