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 offense for the 1970 Baltimore Orioles answered twice, but in the end it was a pitcher who finally closed the door on a 9-7 victory over the 1927 New York Yankees.
Baltimore’s Eddie Watt got in some trouble in the bottom of the ninth as he was hoping to end the day on a good note for the Orioles.
After Bob Meusel grounded out, Watt allowed back-to-back pinch-hitters to reach as Mark Koenig doubled and Joe Dugan singled.
Watt was able to get Johnny Grabowski to pop out before he fanned Earle Combs to earn the save.
The Orioles got going early as Don Buford led off the game against New York starter Urban Shocker with a double and one out later, Frank Robinson doubled to make it 1-0.
Dave McNally, who started on the mound for Baltimore, knocked in a run in the second inning with a sacrifice fly.
In the fifth, the Yankees tied the affair with a pair of runs on a sacrifice fly by Babe Ruth and a RBI double by Lou Gehrig.
However, the Orioles had a quick response with four runs in the top of the sixth.
Dave Johnson singled to bring home bring home two of the runs. Mark Belanger and McNally both singled and Shocker was finished after getting just one out. Shocker (11-2) allowed six runs on nine hits with three strikeouts.
Dutch Ruether took over for the stunned Shocker and walked Don Buford, which loaded the bases. Paul Blair‘s two-run double gave the Orioles a 6-2 advantage.
McNally suffered a similar fate as his New York pitching counterpart Shocker as he was sent to the showers in the seventh after retiring just one hitter. McNally, who was the winning pitcher, gave up five runs on nine hits with six walks and two strikeouts.
Mike Gazella and Ruth both walked before Gerhig’s RBI single. Tony Lazzeri added a sacrifice fly and the Yankees trailed 6-4.
A RBI single by Meusel got the Yankees to within a run and Orioles manager Earl Weaver was calling Pete Richert in from the bullpen. Richert was able to stop the uprising and the Orioles were able to hang on to the lead.
Myles Thomas replaced Ruether for the Yankees in the top of the eighth and he had problems right away as the Baltimore offense matched the three runs they had surrendered in the seventh.
Boog Powell had a two-run double and Frank Robinson followed by driving a pair with a single that put Baltimore in front 9-5.
For the second straight frame, a New York rally fell short as the Yankees could only pick up two runs against Richert when Ruth blasted his 35th homer of the season to set the stage for Watt’s difficult effort in the ninth.
Wilcy Moore (11-4) will get the ball in the third contest of the four-game series for the Yankees with the Orioles starting Jim Hardin.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (56-39)
1961 New York Yankees (51-43)
1968 Detroit Tigers (14-8)
1948 Cleveland Indians (13-9)
2004 Boston Red Sox (15-17)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (10-15)
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 35
Lou Gehrig 27