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.
Jim Coates was able to toss a complete game victory as the 1961 New York Yankees beat the 1972 Oakland A’s 4-1.
It was the second start for Coates against the A’s this season as he also went the distance in a 7-4 win over the A’s in Oakland.
On this day, Coates (5-1) allowed six hits with six strikeouts.
The only run the A’s were able to produce came in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Joe Rudi. Coates finished that frame with the tying run at second by fanning Reggie Jackson and Sal Bando.
Rollie Fingers worked the first five frames for the A’s as he gave up a pair of run on seven hits with five strikeouts.
Bill Skowron knocked in the first tally in the second with a RBI single before Mickey Mantle added a sacrifice fly in the third to make it 2-0.
After the A’s scored in the top of the eighth, the Yankees virtually put the game away by scoring twice in the bottom of the inning.
Roger Maris and Mantle singled to start the rally before Elston Howard had a run-scoring single to make it 3-1. The last score came when Mantle raced home on an error by A’s shortstop Bert Campaneris as he misplayed a grounder by Skowron.
Coates needed a double play from the New York defense in the ninth, but he was able to put the A’s away.
Tex Clevenger will be the starter for the Yankees in the second affair of the six-game series, the A’s counter with Vida Blue.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (39-23)
1961 New York Yankees (36-26)
1968 Detroit Tigers (7-3)
1948 Cleveland Indians (8-6)
2004 Boston Red Sox (10-14)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (5-9)
1924 Washington Senators (7-15)
1972 Oakland A’s (8-18)
2005 Chicago White Sox (4-10)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 26
Babe Ruth 25
Roger Maris 23
Lou Gehrig 20