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.
An early power surge helped the 2004 Boston Red Sox to a 7-4 victory over the 1961 New York Yankees in Fenway Park.
After Mickey Mantle hit a two-run homer in the top of the first to give the Yankees a lead, it didn’t take very long for the advantage to disappear.
Johnny Damon tagged New York starter Ralph Terry for a solo shot to begin the bottom of the frame for the hometown squad.
Manny Ramirez followed with a walk and then David Ortiz smashed a two-run bomb that put Boston on top for good at 3-2.
In the third, the Red Sox added a run on three straight singles by Ortiz, Jason Varitek and Trot Nixon.
Damon was at it again in the fourth as he smacked another solo homer that gave the Red Sox a 5-2 lead.
Boston starting pitcher Tim Wakefield had shut down the Yankees since the first, but Mantle drilled his team-high 26th homer leading off the sixth to cut New York’s deficit to 5-3.
Although Wakefield appeared to be getting tired, Boston manager Terry Francona decided to let the knuckleball ace continue on the mound.
Yogi Berra coaxed a walk to begin the top of the eighth. Clete Boyer reached on an error by Boston shortstop Orlando Cabrera. Hector Lopez, who was getting a start in left field, had a RBI single to put the Yankees to within a run.
With Boyer at third, pinch-hitter Bill Skowron lined into a double play to end the threat. Boston’s Bill Mueller snagged Skowron’s liner and stepped on third to retire Boyer.
Tex Clevenger took over the pitching duties for New York in the bottom of the eighth as the Red Sox were able to add runs to put the game away.
Damon had a RBI single and then would score on a double by Ramirez for the final tally of the affair.
A refreshed Wakefield sent the Yankees down in order in the ninth as he finished the complete game victory by striking out Roger Maris.
Rollie Sheldon (3-6) gets the ball for New York in the finale of the five-game series in Fenway, while the Boston counters with Derek Lowe.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (39-21)
1961 New York Yankees (35-25)
1968 Detroit Tigers (7-3)
1948 Cleveland Indians (8-6)
2004 Boston Red Sox (8-14)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (5-9)
1924 Washington Senators (7-15)
1972 Oakland A’s (7-17)
2005 Chicago White Sox (4-10)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 26
Babe Ruth 24
Roger Maris 23
Lou Gehrig 19