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.
The 1972 Oakland A’s evened its three-game series against the 1927 New York Yankees with a 6-5 victory.
A two-run homer from Gene Tenace in the seventh inning gave the A’s the lead for good as the long ball ended the day for Yankees starter Rollie Sheldon..
Oakland trailed 4-3 when Sheldon gave up a single to George Hendrick before making his mistake pitch to Tenace.
Tex Clevenger took over on the mound for Sheldon and eventually walked Sal Bando with the bases loaded to give the A’s a 6-4 advantage.
Vida Blue battled through eight innings to get the win for the A’s.
After Yogi Berra‘s solo homer in the eighth off Blue, Rollie Fingers was asked by manager Dick Williams to save the contest for the lefty.
Elston Howard singled to begin the ninth off Fingers. The A’s closer also walked pinch-hitter Bob Cerv before he fanned Tony Kubek to end the game.
Homer Puts Oakland on Top
In the bottom of the second, Mike Epstein had a single before George Hendrick smacked a two run blast that gave the A’s a 2-0 lead.
Blue worked out a bases loaded jam in the top of the third and the A’s added another run in the bottom of the frame on a RBI single by Joe Rudi.
The Yankees got on the scoreboard in the fourth as they closed their deficit to 3-2.
Roger Maris doubled and then Mickey Mantle brought him home with a two-bagger. Berra grounded out, which allowed Mantle to reach third. Bill Skowron‘s sacrifice fly allowed Mantle to score.
A pair of solo homers by the Yankees would put them in front 4-3.
Maris tagged Blue in the sixth with his fourth long ball of the season to tie it before Howard gave New York the lead in the top of the seventh to set the stage for Tenace.
The Yankees will start Bud Daley in the series finale, while the A’s counter with Dave Hamilton.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1961 New York Yankees (6-3)
1927 New York Yankees (5-4)
1972 Oakland A’s (4-6)
2004 Boston Red Sox (3-5)
1924 Washington Senators (0-0)
1948 Cleveland Indians (0-0)
1968 Detroit Tigers (0-0)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (0-0)
2005 Chicago White Sox (0-0)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Lou Gehrig 5
Roger Maris 4
Mickey Mantle 2
Babe Ruth 1