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.
Lou Gehrig‘s performance helped the 1927 New York Yankees survive for a 7-6 victory over the 1972 Oakland A’s.
Gehrig had three hits and knocked in four runs as the Yankees spoiled the A’s home opener at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum.
In the first inning against A’s starter Blue Moon Odom, Gehrig put the Yankees on top 2-0 with a two-run single.
The A’s answered in the bottom of the frame as Reggie Jackson smacked a solo shot off New York starter Urban Shocker.
The Yankees added two more runs to take a 4-1 advantage.
Mark Koenig‘s RBI single in the second put the Yankees up by a pair of runs before Gehrig’s solo homer in the third, which was his third of the season.
Gene Tenace, who is proving to be quite the menace for the Yankees, blasted a three-run homer in the fourth to tie the affair at 4-4.
Oakland’s prosperity didn’t last long as Babe Ruth coaxed a walk from Odom with one out. Gehrig followed with a triple that made it 5-4.
Bob Meusel ended Odom’s day with a two-run homer that put New York by three runs.
Bob Locker and Darold Knowles held New York scoreless the rest of the way, unfortunately for the A’s, they couldn’t come all the way back against Shocker.
The A’s manufactured a pair of runs in the sixth to get within a run. George Hendrick drove in a run with a ground out, while Tenace had a sacrifice fly.
Shocker survived giving up all six runs on nine hits with three strikeouts to toss a complete game.
In the second contest of the three-game series, the Yankees will have Wilcy Moore take the mound as the A’s counter with Vida Blue.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1961 New York Yankees (5-2)
1927 New York Yankees (4-4)
1972 Oakland A’s (3-4)
2004 Boston Red Sox (3-5)
1924 Washington Senators (0-0)
1948 Cleveland Indians (0-0)
1968 Detroit Tigers (0-0)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (0-0)
2005 Chicago White Sox (0-0)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Lou Gehrig 3
Roger Maris 3
Mickey Mantle 2
Babe Ruth 1