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.
A wild ninth inning proved to be the difference for the 1927 New York Yankees as they were able to beat the 2004 Boston Red Sox 4-3 in Fenway Park.
Boston manager Terry Francona called Keith Foulke in from the bullpen to preserve the victory. Unfortunately, the plan failed.
With the Yankees down 3-2, the inning began with Foulke making an error on a grounder by Bob Meusel. The Boston reliever retired Joe Dugan and Pat Collins to have the throng of cardboard fans smiling.
However, New York manager Miller Huggins selected Ben Paschal to pinch-hit for pitcher Myles Thomas. Paschal singled and then Earle Combs walked to load the bases.
Mark Koenig stepped up to the plate and singled to drive home a pair of runs to give the Yankees the lead. Foulke fanned Babe Ruth, but the damage was done.
In the bottom of the ninth, Huggins picked George Pipgras to try to hold off the Red Sox.
Jason Varitek doubled to begin the frame. Bill Mueller hit a fly ball to Ruth in right and Trot Nixon struck out. Mark Bellhorn drilled a single, but Varitek could only advance to third.
Pipgras induced pinch-hitter Doug Mirabelli to hit a grounder to Koenig at short and the contest was over as he picked up his first save of the season.
Thomas (5-4) got the last out of the seventh and tossed a scoreless eighth to earn the victory. New York starter Urban Shocker (7-0) was saved from a loss after giving up three runs before leaving with two outs in the seventh.
Tim Wakefield went seven innings for Boston giving up two runs on seven hits, while Ramiro Mendoza worked a perfect eighth to set up Foulke.
The Yankees scored first in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Dugan. A RBI triple in the sixth by Lou Gehrig made it 2-0 New York.
Shocker retired the first nine hitters he faced before Johnny Damon singled to lead off the fourth for the Red Sox.
The next base runner for Boston came in the seventh when the Red Sox ousted Shocker.
Orlando Cabrera homered to start the rally. After Manny Ramirez grounded out, David Ortiz smashed a solo shot to tie the affair a 2-2.
Mueller walked and Nixon singled to set the stage for Bellhorn, who took advantage of the dramatic situation with a double that put Boston on top 3-2.
Wilcy Moore (9-0) starts the series finale for the Yankees in the five-game set at Fenway, while the Red Sox send Derek Lowe to the mound.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (39-21)
1961 New York Yankees (35-24)
1968 Detroit Tigers (6-3)
1948 Cleveland Indians (8-6)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (5-9)
2004 Boston Red Sox (7-14)
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