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 were able to outlast the 1968 Detroit Tigers for a 5-4 victory in 12 innings.
Pat Dobson took over on the mound for Detroit as the Yankees came to bat in the top of the 12th.
Clete Boyer doubled and Roger Maris singled to put the Yankees in the lead. Dobson walked Mickey Mantle and was able to prevent any more runs from scoring.
In the bottom of the 12th, Tex Clevenger was in his second inning of work picked up the win for the Yankees.
Clevenger (5-1) walked Dick McAuliffe before Mickey Stanley popped out. The game came to an end as Al Kaline grounded into a double play started by Boyer at third.
The game was close through out the contest as New York starter Ralph Terry and his Detroit counterpart Mickey Lolich each tossed eight innings.
The Tigers scored in the third on a two-run homer by McAuliffe, but the Yankees answered in the third.
Yogi Berra had a RBI single and Bobby Richardson beat out a double play attempt, which brought home the second run to tie it at 2-2.
New York grabbed the lead in the sixth on a run-scoring single by Elston Howard. The Tigers responded with a RBI single from Willie Horton that deadlocked the affair at 3-3.
Both teams would score in the ninth to set the stage for extra innings.
After fanning Maris, Mantle and Howard in the eighth, Lolich gave up a double to Berra to begin the ninth. Don McMahon was called from the bullpen and eventually surrendered a sacrifice fly to pinch-hitter Johnny Blanchard that put the Yankees up by a run.
With Luis Arroyo taking over for Terry to begin the ninth, the Tigers were able to load the bases to set up Don Wert, who came through with a single to tie the game.
New York’s Rollie Sheldon (3-7) will be on the mound for the Yankees in the fourth contest of the six-game series, while Joe Sparma gets the start for Detroit.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (48-30)
1961 New York Yankees (44-34)
1968 Detroit Tigers (10-6)
1948 Cleveland Indians (8-6)
2004 Boston Red Sox (15-17)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (5-9)
1924 Washington Senators (11-19)
1972 Oakland A’s (11-25)
2005 Chicago White Sox (4-10)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 32
Roger Maris 31
Babe Ruth 31
Lou Gehrig 21