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.
Wilcy Moore may have had his worst outing of the season, but he survived to to stay undefeated as the 1927 New York Yankees beat the 1948 Cleveland Indians 4-3 in the opener of a three-game series.
Moore (9-0) gave up three runs as his ERA went to 0.66 in 11 games. The Indians snapped two streaks for Moore as his scoreless run of 35⅔ innings ended in the seventh, while his he failed to complete a start for the first time in nine contests this season.
Overall, Moore has allowed six runs this season with the Indians scoring four of them. His scoreless innings streak ironically began against the Indians, which included four starts and a pair of relief appearances.
Everything was in order for Moore as the Yankees held a 4-0 advantage heading into the eighth inning.
Cleveland pinch-hitter Thurman Tucker began the frame with a walk. Dale Mitchell followed with a single before Allie Clark fouled out to New York catcher Pat Collins.
Player-manager Lou Boudreau doubled to score Tucker and and it was 4-1. A RBI ground out by Joe Gordon cut the deficit in half, while Ken Keltner capped the rally for the Indians with a run scoring single.
Moore convinced New York manager Miller Huggins that he could finish the affair, but it didn’t happen.
Wally Judnich had a pinch-hit single to lead off the ninth for the Indians and Moore was done. Myles Thomas took over on mound and got Mitchell to hit into a double play started by Mark Koenig at short. Thomas retired Clark on a fly ball to earn his third save of the season.
All of New York’s runs came on homers. Tony Lazzeri hit his seventh long ball of the season in the second inning after Lou Gehrig singled.
In the fifth, Koenig drilled hit a solo shot, which was his first homer of the season.
Babe Ruth led off the seventh against Cleveland starter Sam Zoldak with his 19th homer of the season as he drove in his 49th run.
Game two of the series features George Pipgras (4-3) getting the start for the Yankees, while the Indians counter with Don Black.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (33-18)
1961 New York Yankees (29-21)
1948 Cleveland Indians (7-3)
1968 Detroit Tigers (6-3)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (3-5)
2004 Boston Red Sox (5-9)
1924 Washington Senators (7-15)
1972 Oakland A’s (7-17)
2005 Chicago White Sox (4-10)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Roger Maris 21
Babe Ruth 19
Lou Gehrig 18
Mickey Mantle 17