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.
Finish what you start was the lesson the 1927 New York Yankees learned as they defeated the 1968 Detroit Tigers 5-4 in 10 innings.
Lou Gehrig hit his second homer of the game for the Yankees leading off in the top of the 10th off Detroit’s Pat Dobson for the game-winner.
Dobson, who took over on the mound for Tigers starter John Hiller to begin the 10th, later gave up a double to Bob Meusel before fanning Joe Dugan and Pat Collins to give Detroit a chance.
George Pipgras convinced New York manager Miller Huggins that he could finish off the complete game in the bottom of the frame.
Pipgras (6-5) struck out home run threats Al Kaline and Willie Horton before retiring Norm Cash on a fly ball to preserve the victory. In 10 innings of work, Pipgras gave up six hits and walked four with seven strikeouts.
Hiller went nine innings for the Tigers allowing nine hits with four walks and six strikeouts.
Gehrig got things started for the Yankees in the first inning. After Earle Combs singled and Mark Koenig doubled, Babe Ruth struck out.
Gehrig’s Big Swing
The New York first baseman stepped into the batter’s box and responded with a three-run homer that gave the Yankees an early advantage. With his pair of homers, Gehrig now has 23 long balls with 61 RBI this season.
New York added to its lead in the third as the Yankees loaded the bases. Dobson fanned Tony Lazzeri, but Bob Meusel had an infield single that Detroit shortstop Mickey Stanley couldn’t handle that produced a run to make it 4-0.
The Tigers finally got on the scoreboard in the sixth. After Dick McAuliffe grounded out, Stanley singled for the first hit off Pipgras.
Kaline followed with a single and Horton walked to load the bases. Cash doubled to cut Detroit’s deficit to 4-2.
In the eighth, the Tigers tied the affair at 4-4 when Kaline walked to lead off the inning before Horton smacked a two-run homer.
Both teams had baserunners in the ninth, but neither team had a serious opportunity as Combs singled for the Yankees and McAuliffe had a hit for the Tigers.
In the finale of the four-day, six-game series, Myles Thomas (7-4) gets a rare start for the Yankees, while Tigers will hand the ball to an undetermined starter likely on short rest.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (50-30)
1961 New York Yankees (44-35)
1968 Detroit Tigers (11-8)
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 34
Roger Maris 31
Babe Ruth 31
Lou Gehrig 23