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 sixth-inning home run by Bill Skowron made the difference for the 1961 New York Yankees in a 3-1 victory over the 1972 Oakland A’s.
With the score tied 1-1 in the sixth at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, A’s starter Blue Moon Odom walked Mickey Mantle to begin the frame.
After retiring Yogi Berra on a line out to Oakland second baseman Tim Cullen, Skowron’s two-run blast off Odom led to a disappointed crowd for the A’s home opener.
Odom worked eight innings surrendering just three hits with five walks and four strikeouts. Bob Locker tossed a scoreless ninth for the A’s.
New York starting pitcher Ralph Terry needed help to get the victory for the Yankees. He went eight innings with six strikeouts and gave up six hits.
Joe Rudi doubled to begin the ninth for the A’s, which ended Terry’s effort.
Yankees manager Ralph Houk called Luis Arroyo from the bullpen to save the game for Terry. Arroyo fanned Reggie Jackson and Sal Bando before getting Mike Epstein to pop out to Skowron to end the contest.
Early Lead for A’s
Oakland excited its hometown fans with a run in the first.
Bert Campaneris singled and then swiped second. Two batters later, Bando brought Campaneris home with a single.
The Yankees had a threat in the top of the second as Odom walked Berra and Mantle. Odom was able to regain his composure to strikeout Skowron, Elston Howard and Clete Boyer to end the inning.
New York did get a run in the third thanks to Odom’s continuing control issues. With two outs, Tony Kubek and Roger Maris both walked. Mantle followed with a double that scored Kubek to tie the game at 1-1 and set the stage for Skowron.
The middle affair of the three-game set in Oakland features Rollie Sheldon on the mound for the Yankees and Vida Blue going for the A’s.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1961 New York Yankees (6-2)
1927 New York Yankees (4-4)
1972 Oakland A’s (3-5)
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