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 four-run first inning proved to be all the 1968 Detroit Tigers would need to post a 4-1 victory over the 1961 New York Yankees.
After a scoreless top of the first for Detroit starter Pat Dobson, the Tigers put together the decisive rally with two outs.
New York starting pitcher Jim Coates walked Al Kaline and Willie Horton smashed a homer that gave the Tigers the lead.
An apparent lack of concentration by Coates led to a single by Norm Cash and another long ball by Jim Northrup and it was 4-0.
The Yankees show a little life in the second as Mickey Mantle led off with a double. Later in the frame Bobby Richardson smacked as double that scored Mantle.
That was all of the offense the Yankees could muster as Dobson went the distance allowing just three hits with a pair of walks and six strikeouts.
Bill Skowron had a single in the fourth for New York, which was the final hit for the Yankees as Dobson retired the last 17 batters.
Coates (5-3) stayed on the mound for seven innings giving up five hits, two walks with seven strikeouts. After the first inning, Coates surrendered a double in the third by Kaline, which was the final hit for the Tigers.
Bill Stafford tossed a scoreless eighth for New York.
Next up for the Yankees is a visit to the 1948 Cleveland Indians to play a four-game series.
Tex Clevenger (4-1) starts the opener for the Yankees with the Indians countering with Satchel Paige.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (50-31)
1961 New York Yankees (44-37)
1968 Detroit Tigers (14-8)
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