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.
Two swings from Mickey Mantle decided the outcome as the 1961 New York Yankees defeated the 2004 Boston Red Sox 8-3 in Fenway Park.
Mantle broke up a scoreless affair in the top of the third with a two-run homer off Boston starter Pedro Martinez.
In the fifth, Tony Kubek singled to begin the inning. Clete Boyer follwed with a walk before Roger Maris lined out to Boston shortstop Orlando Cabrera.
Unfortunately for Martinez, he made another mistake to Mantle as he drilled his team-high 24th long ball of the season to drive in three runs and put the Yankees up 5-0.
Boston’s offense showed some signs of life in the bottom of the fifth as Trot Nixon had a RBI single off New York starter Bill Stafford, while another run scored on a double play.
Manny Ramirez smacked a solo homer in the sixth to cut Boston’s deficit to 5-3, but the Yankees were able to add more on the scoreboard to put the game away.
Yogi Berra had a RBI single in the seventh off Martinez, which was followed another run-scoring single off Boston reliever Ramiro Mendoza to make it 7-3.
Elston Howard had his ninth homer of the season to lead off the ninth and Mike Timlin to close out the scoring for the Yankees.
Stafford (9-2) went the distance for for New York allowing eight hits with five strikeouts.
Ralph Terry (3-4) gets the ball for the Yankees for the fourth contest in the five-game set at Fenway, while the Red Sox counter with Tim Wakefield.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (38-21)
1961 New York Yankees (35-24)
1968 Detroit Tigers (7-3)
1948 Cleveland Indians (8-6)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (5-9)
2004 Boston Red Sox (7-13)
1924 Washington Senators (7-15)
1972 Oakland A’s (7-17)
2005 Chicago White Sox (4-10)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Babe Ruth 24
Mickey Mantle 24
Roger Maris 23
Lou Gehrig 19