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 pitcher’s mound apparently wasn’t the best place to be as the 1948 Cleveland Indians survived an 11-9 battle with the 1927 New York Yankees.
All of the seven hurlers gave up at least one hit, while one for each team allowed seven runs.
The Indians had a 4-3 advantage after the first two frames as both teams took advantage of the starting pitchers.
Cleveland’s Joe Gordon hit a two-homer in the top of the first with Babe Ruth connecting for a solo shot for the Yankees in the bottom of the frame.
In the second, Jim Hegan had a RBI single for the Indians. Cleveland added another run when starting pitcher Don Black grounded into a double play.
The Yankees scored on a fielder’s choice by Earle Combs before Joe Dugan raced home on a wild pitch by Black.
New York grabbed a 5-4 lead in the fifth on back-to-back run-scoring singles by Tony Lazzeri and Mark Koenig.
Yankees starter George Pipgras was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the fifth after giving up four runs on six hits.
Dutch Ruether (3-5) was called from the bullpen and everything fell apart for the Yankees.
Cleveland sent a dozen batters to the plate as the Indians scored seven times against Ruether as he retired just one hitter.
The Indians had a pair of runs score on two errors, while Hegan had a two-run double and Black also smacked a RBI double. Allie Clark ended the rally with a two-run homer to give the Indians an 11-5 lead.
It was so bad for New York manager Miller Huggins that he asked Urban Shocker to go to the mound and he lasted until the eighth.
Combs tripled in the sixth for the Yankees and later scored when Ruth grounded into a twin-killing.
Black lasted into the eighth on the hill for the Indians as surrendered seven runs on 10 hits with six walks and just one strikeout.
Bob Muncrief was credited with a hold for the Indians, but he gave up two of the three New York runs in the eighth. Combs hit a two-run shot and Ruth drilled his second solo blast of the affair for his 21st long ball of the season. Ruth also tops the Yankees with 51 RBI in 52 games.
Russ Christopher gave up a hit in ninth, but he earned the save for the Indians.
The finale of the three game series features the aces of both pitching staffs. Waite Hoyt (5-3) gets the ball for the Yankees, while the Indians counter with Bob Lemon.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (33-19)
1961 New York Yankees (30-21)
1968 Detroit Tigers (7-3)
1948 Cleveland Indians (7-4)
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 21
Mickey Mantle 19
Lou Gehrig 18