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 2005 Chicago White Sox are one win away from a four-game sweep of the 1961 New York Yankees.
Chicago’s 2-1 victory also handed the Yankees their fourth straight loss. New York dropped a final contest in Baltimore before traveling to the Windy City.
White Sox starter Orlando Hernandez worked into the ninth to get the win, but he needed Dustin Hermanson to get the last two out of the contest to preserve the victory.
Johnny Blanchard singled to begin the top of the ninth. Hernandez retired Bob Cerv on a fly ball by Billy Gardner doubled, which had White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen to the mound with the hook.
Hermanson got pinch-hitter Elston Howard on a fly ball before he fanned Tony Kubek to earn the save.
New York starter Bud Daley (6-9) tossed eight innings giving up 10 hits with a walk and nine strikeouts.
Tadahito Iguchi had a run-scoring single in the third to give the White Sox a 1-0 advantage. Chicago added its second run in the fifth when Joe Crede reached on an error by Blanchard as he fielded a ball in front of the plate that allowed Paul Konerko to score.
Roger Maris hit his 36th homer of the season to produce the only tally for the Yankees in the sixth inning.
New York will have Whitey Ford (9-6) on the mound for the finale of the four-game series, while the White Sox counter with ace Mark Buehrle.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (55-37)
1961 New York Yankees (49-43)
1968 Detroit Tigers (14-8)
1948 Cleveland Indians (13-9)
2004 Boston Red Sox (15-17)
2005 Chicago White Sox (8-12)
1924 Washington Senators (11-19)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (8-14)
1972 Oakland A’s (11-25)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 38
Roger Maris 36
Babe Ruth 34
Lou Gehrig 24