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 two-run homer by Al Kaline made the difference as the 1968 Detroit Tigers won 3-2 over the 1961 New York Yankees.
The Tigers trailed 2-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth when Mickey Stanley reached on an error by New York shortstop Tony Kubek.
New York starter Bud Daley then made a mistake and Kaline made him pay with the go-ahead blast.
Detroit starter John Hiller lasted until the ninth when he walked Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle to begin the frame. Don McMahon came on in relief and fanned Elston Howard, Yogi Berra and Bill Skowron to save the victory for Hiller, who allowed five hits with six strikeouts.
The Tigers grabbed an early lead when Don Wert had a run-scoring single in the second inning.
In the third, the Yankees went on top with a pair of runs. The first score came on an error by Stanley on a grounder by Kubek. A RBI single by Clete Boyer gave the Yankees a 2-1 advantage.
Daley (5-8) probably deserved a better fate as he surrendered just the two hits by Wert and Kaline that produced runs for the Tigers with five strikeouts.
Jim Coates (5-2) is slated to start the finale of the four-day, six-game series at Tiger Stadium, while Detroit counters with Pat Dobson.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (50-30)
1961 New York Yankees (44-36)
1968 Detroit Tigers (12-8)
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