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.
There was plenty of offense at Yankee Stadium with 23 runs scored on 29 hits and four errors.
Ultimately, an eight-run eighth inning for the 1970 Baltimore Orioles made the difference in a 13-10 victory over the 1927 New York Yankees.
Baltimore jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first off New York starter Wilcy Moore, who would eventually leave the mound after not retiring three hitters in the seventh. He would give up five runs on eight hits with six strikeouts with a no decision to remain unbeaten at 9-0.
Paul Blair singled and stole second before Mark Belanger reached on a two-base error by New York shortstop Tony Kubek. Frank Robinson followed with a two-run homer to stun the Yankees.
Merv Rettenmund added a solo homer for Baltimore in the fourth before the Yankees finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the frame with a pair of runs off Orioles starter Jim Hardin. Tony Lazerri led off with a homer, while Pat Collins later added a RBI single to make it 4-2.
The Orioles added a run in the seventh as Blair singled, swiped second and scored on a single by Belanger. After Frank Robinson singled, George Pipgras came out of the bullpen for the Yankees and retired the side by fanning Boog Powell and getting Rettenmund to ground into a double play.
New York’s offense finally came to life in the bottom of the seventh as the Yankees would take a 6-5 lead.
Mark Koenig singled and went to third on a single by Babe Ruth. After Lou Gehrig had a RBI single, Lazzeri blasted his second homer of the game that drove in three runs to put the Yankees in front.
Lazzeri’s hit ousted Hardin as he allowed 11 hits and six runs with five strikeouts. By getting the final out of the seventh for the Orioles, Pete Richert would turn out to be the winning pitcher thanks to his teammates.
Baltimore sent nine hitters to the plate against Myles Thomas (4-4), who would get tagged with the loss as he would retired just one batter. Dutch Ruether got the last two outs of the eighth after the Orioles scored eight times to take a 13-6 lead.
Elrod Hendricks tied the game with a RBI single and then Belanger gave Baltimore a 7-6 lead with another RBI single.
Everything quickly got out of control for Thomas after that as Frank Robinson had a two-run double, which was followed by a RBI single by Powell. Rettenmund then cashed in with a three-run homer and the Orioles led by seven runs.
Eddie Watt took over on the mound for the Orioles in place of Richert and manager Earl Weaver was pacing the entire inning.
Weaver’s cause for concern was that Watt walked two and gave up a double to Mike Gazella, who entered the contest at third base during in the top of the inning.
With the bases loaded, Gehrig drilled a grand slam for his 19th homer of the season cutting New York’s deficit to three.
However after all of the action, the ninth inning was uneventful. Ruether held the Orioles scoreless, while Dick Hall would earn a save for Baltimore with a perfect outing.
After a day off, the Yankees are set to visit the 2004 Boston Red Sox for a five-game series with Pipgras (4-3) scheduled to start the opener for New York. Bronson Arroyo is slated to get the ball for the Red Sox.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (36-20)
1961 New York Yankees (33-22)
1968 Detroit Tigers (7-3)
1948 Cleveland Indians (8-6)
2004 Boston Red Sox (5-9)
1924 Washington Senators (7-15)
1972 Oakland A’s (7-17)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (4-9)
2005 Chicago White Sox (4-10)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Babe Ruth 23
Roger Maris 22
Mickey Mantle 21
Lou Gehrig 19