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.
Manny was just being Manny.
Manny Ramirez drilled a walk-off three-run blast onto Lansdowne Street to give the 2004 Boston Red Sox a 6-5 win over the 1927 New York Yankees in Fenway Park.
Trailing by two-runs heading into the ninth against New York starter Wilcy Moore, Pokey Reese led off with a single, which was his third hit of the game.
After pinch-hitter Mark Bellhorn popped out and Moore fanned Johnny Damon, Orlando Cabrera doubled to put runners at second and third.
New York manager Miller Huggins decided to let Moore face Ramirez instead of on-deck batter David Ortiz.
Moore’s mistake pitch cleared the Green Monster and its cardboard fans, while landing in the street near a gathering of celebrating folks, who were all wearing masks.
It was Moore’s first loss of the season in 10 decisions as he allowed nine hits with seven strikeouts.
Mike Timlin got the final five outs on the mound for the Red Sox to pick up the win.
Derek Lowe started for the Red Sox and left with one out in the eighth when he gave up four of the five runs he allowed.
New York took the lead in the fourth on a solo homer by Lou Gehrig, which was his 20th of the season.
The Red Sox tied it in the fifth on Damon’s RBI double.
In the seventh, Trot Nixon homered and Damon eventually followed with a run-scoring single to put Boston on top 3-1.
The Yankees were able to take the lead in the eighth. Mark Koenig doubled to drive in a run and after Babe Ruth walked, Gehrig tripled to knock in two more and it was 4-3 New York. A sacrifice fly by Tony Lazzeri scored Gehrig for New York’s last tally.
Timlin came on to stop the uprising and then worked a perfect ninth to set the stage for Manny.
With the league schedule backed up by rain outs, New York going to start Dutch Ruether (3-5) in the opener of what has turned into a six-game series against the 1972 Oakland A’s at Yankees Stadium. A’s manager Dick Williams has picked Rollie Fingers for a rare start.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (39-22)
1961 New York Yankees (35-25)
1968 Detroit Tigers (7-3)
1948 Cleveland Indians (8-6)
2004 Boston Red Sox (9-14)
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 20