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.
Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle came through for the 1961 New York Yankees in a 4-3 victory over the 1972 Oakland A’s.
Trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth, it was Mantle that got New York’s offense going.
Tony Kubek led off the frame with a double and then A’s starter Vida Blue walked Clete Boyer. Mantle followed with triple that got the Yankees to within a run.
In the sixth, the Yankees took the lead when Boyer single and Maris smashed his 24th homer of the season to make it 4-3.
Tex Clevenger (3-1) was able to get the win for New York as he went eight innings giving up eight hits with six strikeouts and six walks.
After Joe Rudi singled to begin the ninth, Luis Arroyo took over on the mound for Clevenger. Arroyo earned his eighth save of the season as he fanned Reggie Jackson and induced Sal Bando to hit into a double play.
Despite stranding 10 runners in the affair, the A’s were able to produce some offense in the third inning to build a 3-0 advantage.
Bert Campaneris singled and swiped second. Rudi followed with a RBI single and later scored on a homer by Mike Epstein.
Blue ended up with a complete game for his eight innings of work as he gave up six hits with four strikeouts.
Bud Daley (5-4) gets the start for the Yankees in the third contest of the six-game series, while the A’s counter with Dave Hamilton.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (40-23)
1961 New York Yankees (37-26)
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 (8-20)
2005 Chicago White Sox (4-10)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 26
Babe Ruth 25
Roger Maris 24
Lou Gehrig 20