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.
This one got away from the 1927 New York Yankees.
New York starting pitcher Herb Pennock was on his way to a victory when a six-run inning derailed the opportunity as the Yankees fell 7-6 to the 1970 Baltimore Orioles.
Pennock (5-8), who was looking to end a two-game losing skid, had allowed six hits and a run through seven frames when Baltimore came to bat in the eighth trailing 5-1.
Frank Robinson began the rally with a single and he moved to second on a ground out by Boog Powell.
Merv Rettenmund doubled for Baltimore and it was 5-2. Brooks Robinson doubled and the Orioles were down by two.
A flustered Pennock then walked Dave Johnson and Andy Etchebarren, which prompted a visit from New York manager Miller Huggins.
After convincing Huggins he could get the job done even with the bases loaded, Pennock was hurt by a miscue when New York catcher Johnny Grabowski had a ball get by him that made it 5-4.
Still at the plate after the passed ball, Baltimore pinch-hitter Terry Crowley fouled out and Pennock was one batter away from getting out of the jam.
Paul Blair ended the day for Pennock as he blasted a three-run homer sending the Memorial Stadium cardboard fans into a frenzy putting the Orioles in front 7-5.
Dutch Reuther went to the mound for New York and gave up a single to Mark Belanger before retiring Frank Robinson on a fly ball to finish the inning.
Orioles reliever Eddie Watt had some trouble in the ninth, but he was able to earn a save.
Mark Koenig tripled off Watt with one out and later scored on a single by Babe Ruth. Lou Gehrig and Tony Lazzeri were both retired on fly balls to give the Orioles the comeback victory.
Pete Richert picked up the win for Baltimore as he tossed a scoreless eighth with three strikeouts and a walk.
In the top of the first, the Yankees got things underway against Baltimore starter Mike Cuellar with a pair of runs on back to back RBI singles by Gehrig and Lazzeri.
After Pennock fanned three batters in the bottom of the first, Powell grounded out to the mound to begin the second before Rettenmund smacked a solo homer that cut Baltimore’s deficit in half.
With another run-scoring single, Lazzeri added to New York’s lead in the third.
Lazzeri had a repeat performance in the fifth to make it 4-1. Bob Meusel hit a sacrifice fly and New York led by four.
Cueller would last seven innings giving up five runs on nine hits with a pair of walks and two strikeouts.
The Yankees are finally going to end their stretch of 18 road games in four cities with the final stop in the Windy City.
In the opener of the four-game set, New York has Urban Shocker (10-1) slated to start with the 2005 Chicago White Sox calling on Jon Garland.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (53-36)
1961 New York Yankees (49-39)
1968 Detroit Tigers (14-8)
1948 Cleveland Indians (13-9)
2004 Boston Red Sox (15-17)
1924 Washington Senators (11-19)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (7-14)
1972 Oakland A’s (11-25)
2005 Chicago White Sox (4-10)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 38
Roger Maris 34
Babe Ruth 34
Lou Gehrig 24