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.
A four-run rally in the fourth inning gave the 2004 Boston Red Sox the edge they would need on the way to a 5-3 victory over the 1961 New York Yankees.
After Kevin Millar hit a sacrifice fly in the first, the Red Sox put together the decisive inning against Yankees starter Bud Daley in the fourth.
An error with the bases loaded led to the first run as Johnny Blanchard misplayed a grounder by Pokey Reese that was in front of home plate.
Boston starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo followed with a single that added another run. A two-run double by Orlando Cabrera put the Red Sox on top 5-0.
Daley (5-6) stuck around for one more inning as he gave up eight hits with seven strikeouts.
By the bottom of the eighth. Arroyo had limited the Yankees to just a single Billy Gardner in the first and a pinch-hit double by Tony Kubek in the sixth.
With two outs, Bobby Richardson reached on an error by Reese at second to extend the frame. Gardner smacked a homer that closed New York’s deficit to 5-2.
Keith Foulke replaced Arroyo in the bottom of the ninth as he earned a save. Arroyo gave up three hits with six strikeouts.
Mickey Mantle walked to begin the inning and then Blanchard singled before Clete Boyer walked to fill the bases.
New York manager Ralph Houk picked Elston Howard to pinch-hit. The Yankees scored what turned out to be the final run of the game as Howard hit into a double play. Foulke ended the contest by fanning Hector Lopez.
Whitey Ford (6-5) is expected to start for New York in the third contest of the four-game series in Yankee Stadium, while the Red Sox counter with Curt Schilling.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (43-26)
1961 New York Yankees (39-30)
1968 Detroit Tigers (7-3)
1948 Cleveland Indians (8-6)
2004 Boston Red Sox (14-14)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (5-9)
1924 Washington Senators (7-15)
1972 Oakland A’s (11-25)
2005 Chicago White Sox (4-10)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 28
Babe Ruth 28
Roger Maris 26
Lou Gehrig 21