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.
Although they blew a three-run advantage, the 1927 New York Yankees bounced back and held on with a 4-3 victory over the 2004 Boston Red Sox.
After giving up three runs in the top of the fifth, the Yankees answered in the bottom of the frame with what turned out to be the game-winning tally.
Mark Koenig singled off Boston starter Curt Schilling to begin the fifth. Babe Ruth grounded out as Koenig was able to advance to second.
Schilling fanned Lou Gehrig for the second out before Tony Lazzeri singled to drive in Koenig to give the Yankees the lead for good.
Waite Hoyt (9-3) went the distance to earn the victory for the Yankees as he surrendered 11 hits with a pair of walks and nine strikeouts. Schilling tossed seven innings allowing eight hits with seven strikeouts.
Ramiro Mendoza was perfect in the eighth for the Red Sox, who couldn’t mount a serious offensive rally the rest of the way.
The Red Sox left the bases loaded in the first, but the Yankees were able to take an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the inning. Earle Combs led off with a triple and then scored on a two-base error by Johnny Damon as he misplayed a fly ball by Koenig in centerfield.
The Yankees went on top 3-0 in the fourth. Lazzeri got it underway with a solo shot that was his 15th homer of the season. Back-to-back doubles by Bob Meusel and Joe Dugan produced the final run.
In the fifth, Boston’s offense came to life. Damon led off with a single and then scored from first on a double by Orlando Cabrera. Boston tied the game on an error by Koenig.
Hoyt retired Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz on fly balls to Combs in center before Jason Varitek hit a grounder that Koenig fielded, but he threw the ball past Gehrig at first, which allowed Cabrera to race home to tie it.
In the finale of the four-game set at Yankee Stadium, New York sends Herb Pennock (5-5) to the mound, while Red Sox are expected to start Pedro Martinez.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (44-26)
1961 New York Yankees (39-30)
1968 Detroit Tigers (7-3)
1948 Cleveland Indians (8-6)
2004 Boston Red Sox (14-15)
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