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.
Whitey Ford ended the four-game losing streak for the 1961 New York Yankees as he threw a four-hitter in a 5-0 victory over the 2005 Chicago White Sox.
It was the fourth straight win for Ford (10-6), who went the distance for the 12th time this season. He walked four and fanned seven in blanking the White Sox.
With two out in the top of the first inning, Roger Maris put New York in the lead with a solo shot off Chicago starter Mark Buehrle that was his 37th homer of the season.
In the third, the Yankees picked up their second tally of the affair when Tony Kubek began the frame with a double. Maris walked and then Mickey Mantle doubled to make it 2-0. It was the 91st RBI for Mantle.
The White Sox threatened Ford’s shutout in the bottom of the seventh. Joe Crede and Juan Uribe singled with one out, but Ford got pinch-hitter Pablo Ozuna to hit into a fielder’s choice and then fanned Crede to end the inning.
Buehrle was replaced on the mound by Neal Cotts in the eighth. After Maris and Elston Howard both walked, Yogi Berra drilled his 13th homer of the season and the Yankees led by five runs.
From that point, Ford gave up a single in the ninth to Uribe as the White Sox couldn’t recover from Berra’s blast.
New York is back home to entertain the 1970 Baltimore Orioles after playing the last 18 contests on the road in four cities. The Yankees finished 8-10 on the trip.
Bill Stafford (12-4) gets the call for the Yankees in the opener of a four-game series, while Baltimore sends Mike Cuellar to the mound.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (56-37)
1961 New York Yankees (50-43)
1968 Detroit Tigers (14-8)
1948 Cleveland Indians (13-9)
2004 Boston Red Sox (15-17)
1924 Washington Senators (11-19)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (8-14)
2005 Chicago White Sox (8-14)
1972 Oakland A’s (11-25)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 38
Roger Maris 37
Babe Ruth 34
Lou Gehrig 27