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.
The 1961 New York Yankees broke open a tight game with five runs in the sixth inning on their way to a 7-2 victory over the 1972 Oakland A’s.
After Ted Kubiak scored on a passed ball to give Oakland a lead in the top of the sixth, the Yankees quickly responded as they ousted A’s starter Ken Holtzman.
Tony Kubek led off with a double before Clete Boyer and Roger Maris walked to load the bases for Mickey Mantle.
In strange occurrence, the Yankees tied the contest when A’s catcher Gene Tenace was charged with a passed ball on pitch from Holtzman that allowed Kubek to score as both teams picked up runs on catching miscues.
After Mantle fouled out, first baseman Elston Howard got the job done with a RBI single and Yogi Berra followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 3-1.
Johnny Blanchard, who was starting behind the plate, hit a two-run homer to send Holtzman to the showers. It was the third of the season for Blanchard.
Darold Knowles was called from the bullpen by A’s manager Dick Williams and he ended the rally, but Oakland trailed by four runs.
Oakland had an opportunity in the seventh with the bases loaded, but Yankees starter Bill Stafford was able to hold off the uprising as George Hendrick hit into a double play.
The Yankees added a run in the seventh against Knowles as Maris blasted a solo shot for his 26th homer of the season.
Stafford was up to the task of shutting down the A’s in the eighth as he fanned Joe Rudi and Reggie Jackson with runners at second and third.
Berra hit a solo homer in the bottom of the eighth off Bob Locker for the final New York tally.
The A’s finally got to Stafford in the ninth as the pitcher made a throwing error on a grounder by Hendrick that allowed a run to score.
In going the distance for the Yankees, Stafford (10-2) gave up seven hits with a pair of walks and five strikeouts as he continues to lead the New York staff this season in victories.
Ralph Terry (4-5) is expected to start the finale of the six-game series in Yankee Stadium between the two squads as the A’s counter with Blue Moon Odom.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (43-23)
1961 New York Yankees (38-28)
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 (10-24)
2005 Chicago White Sox (4-10)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 28
Babe Ruth 28
Roger Maris 26
Lou Gehrig 21