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.
Babe Ruth had just one hit in the first three contests of the four-game series between the 1927 New York Yankees and 2004 Boston Red Sox.
Ruth picked a good time to come to life as he blasted a two-run walk-off homer in the 13th inning to give the Yankees a 7-5 win and a split in the series.
After pinch-hitter Pat Collins was retired by Boston reliever Ramiro Mendoza, Earle Combs singled for his fifth hit of the day.
Mark Koenig lined out and then Ruth drilled his 29th homer of the season for the game-winner.
Myles Thomas (7-4) picked up the win for the Yankees after working the final three frames giving up a pair of walks with three strikeouts.
Mendoza suffered the losses after entering the game in the 11th. He allowed three hits with three strikeouts.
There was a lot of action in the first six innings as the game was tied 5-5 as neither starter was sharp.
Combs led off the bottom of the first for the Yankees with a homer against Boston starter Pedro Martinez, while the Red Sox took a 2-1 advantage in the top of the second. Jason Varitek singled and Bill Mueller homered to put Boston on top against New York starter Herb Pennock.
In the third, the Yankees answered to retake the lead at 3-2. Combs hit his second of three homers in the affair and later Tony Lazzeri added a RBI single.
Boston scored three times in the fifth to grab a 5-3 lead. Mark Bellhorn tied the game with a run-scoring single. Orlando Cabrera and Manny Ramirez added back-to-back RBI singles to each knock in a run that put the Red Sox up by two.
Joe Dugan led off the sixth for New York and two batters later Combs smacked a two-run homer to tie the game at 5-5.
Pennock worked nine innings for the Yankees scattering a dozen hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Dutch Ruether fanned two as he tossed a scoreless 10th before giving way to Thomas.
Martinez threw eight frames allowing eight hits with nine strikeouts. Keith Foulke gave up three hits as he took over for Martinez, but he didn’t allow a run in the ninth or 10th.
New York travels to the 1924 Washington Senators for a single-game affair before the two squads head to Yankee Stadium for a three-game series.
The Yankees are scheduled to start Urban Shocker (7-0) in Washington, while the Senators counter with Tom Zachary.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (45-26)
1961 New York Yankees (39-31)
1968 Detroit Tigers (7-3)
1948 Cleveland Indians (8-6)
2004 Boston Red Sox (15-16)
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
Babe Ruth 29
Mickey Mantle 28
Roger Maris 26
Lou Gehrig 21