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.
One day after scoring 16 runs, the 1927 New York Yankees couldn’t get a runner home as they dropped a 4-0 decision to the 1970 Baltimore Orioles.
Baltimore’s Mike Cuellar went the distance as he blanked New York on nine hits as the Yankees stranded 13 runners on base.
The Yankees had several threats throughout the affair, but the tone was set in the first inning. Earle Combs led off with a single and then Cuellar walked Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig to load the bases. The Baltimore lefty responded by fanning Tony Lazzeri and Bob Meusel to end the inning.
Cuellar’s teammates came to life at the plate in the top of the seventh inning against New York starter Herb Pennock (5-10), who would eventually leave the game with one out in the frame.
Three straight singles to begin the rally by Brooks Robinson, Dave Johnson and Andy Etchebarren gave the Orioles a 1-0 advantage. Cuellar’s sacrifice bunt moved both runners to second and third to set the stage for Paul Blair.
Blair drilled a three-run homer and Baltimore was in front by four runs as Pennock was sent to the showers. Dutch Ruether was called from the bullpen and he put a stop to the rally and kept the Orioles from scoring the rest of the way, but the damage was done.
The Yankees had four hits over the final two innings off Cuellar, but couldn’t get a clutch hit to close the gap as they were shutout for the third time this season.
In the second contest of the four-game series, the Yankees are sending Urban Shocker (11-1) to the mound, while the Orioles counter with Dave McNally.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (56-38)
1961 New York Yankees (50-43)
1968 Detroit Tigers (14-8)
1948 Cleveland Indians (13-9)
2004 Boston Red Sox (15-17)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (9-14)
1924 Washington Senators (11-19)
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