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 slow start for the 1961 New York Yankees didn’t matter as they bounced back for a 5-2 victory over the 1948 Cleveland Indians.
Down 2-0 after two innings, the Yankees began the road back with a run off Cleveland starter Bob Feller in the fifth when Bill Skowron hit his 13th homer of the season.
With two outs in the top of the sixth, it was Mickey Mantle who put the Yankees in front for good at 3-2 as he drilled a two-run homer for his 36th long ball of the season.
Feller was still on the mound in the ninth when a single by Skowron and double by Bobby Richardson sent the Cleveland fireballer to the showers.
New York pinch-hitter Johnny Blanchard singled off Ed Klieman to score both base runners to put the Yankees up by three runs.
Yankees starter Bill Stafford (12-3) allowed a pair of runs in the first two innings on four hits, but he was pretty stingy from that point.
Thurman Tucker and Cleveland player-manager Lou Boudreau had back-to-back doubles to give the Indians a run in the first.
Jim Hegan added a sacrifice fly in the second for the Indians as they held a 2-0 advantage.
In eight frames, Stafford gave up seven hits with a walk and a strikeout. Luis Arroyo earned his ninth save of the season with a perfect final frame as he fanned Hegan for the last out.
Charged with all five New York runs, Feller tossed eight innings surrendering 11 hits with a walk and seven strikeouts. Klieman gave up the one hit to Blanchard with a strikeout in the ninth.
Ralph Terry (5-5) gets the start for the Yankees in the finale of the four-game series, while Cleveland counters with Gene Bearden.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (50-34)
1961 New York Yankees (46-38)
1968 Detroit Tigers (14-8)
1948 Cleveland Indians (12-8)
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 36
Roger Maris 32
Babe Ruth 31
Lou Gehrig 23