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 have won nine of their last 10 as they completed a five-game sweep of the 1972 Oakland A’s with a 2-1 victory.
Whitey Ford (5-2) went the distance as he allowed three hits and fanned 12 in the win.
Ford didn’t give up a hit until Bert Campaneris had a single in the sixth inning. George Hendrick hit a pinch-hit solo homer in the eighth, while Reggie Jackson kept the A’s hopes alive with a single in the ninth.
The Yankees got on the scoreboard against A’s starter Catfish Hunter in the first inning on a RBI single by Elston Howard.
Roger Maris blasted his 20th home run of the season in the fourth, which was a solo shot that proved to be the game-winning tally.
Hunter went eight innings giving up seven hits with six strikeouts. Rollie Fingers worked the ninth for Oakland as he struck out the side.
The Yankees now head home for a three-game series against the 1968 Detroit Tigers. Bill Stafford (6-2) gets the ball for New York, with Earl Wilson starting for the Tigers.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (28-15)
1961 New York Yankees (24-19)
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)
1924 Washington Senators (7-15)
1972 Oakland A’s (7-17)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Roger Maris 20
Lou Gehrig 17
Babe Ruth 14
Mickey Mantle 12