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.
A nine-run lead almost wasn’t big enough for the 1927 New York Yankees, but thankfully Myles Thomas was ready for his team.
Thomas picked up his fourth save of the season as the Yankees hung on for a 9-7 win over the 1948 Cleveland Indians.
The Yankees were in front 9-4 heading into the top of the ninth as Herb Pennock was looking for a complete game.
Jim Hegan led off the inning with a single before pinch-hitter Johnny Berardino struck out. Pennock then walked Dale Mitchell and Thurman Tucker followed with a single to cut Cleveland’s deficit to four.
Cleveland player-manager Lou Boudreau singled and New York’s advantage was trimmed to 9-6.
Thomas entered the contest in relief of Pennock and was greeted with a RBI single by Joe Gordon, who collected his third hit of the game.
Ken Keltner came to the plate as the go-ahead run for the Indians. Thomas game through as he induced the Indians third baseman to hit into a double play to preserve the victory for the Yankees.
Pennock (6-9) got the win as he was charged with seven runs on 12 hits with seven strikeouts and a pair of walks.
Offensively, the Yankees stunned Cleveland starter Bob Feller with four runs in the second inning.
Bob Meusel got things underway with a run-scoring single before two more came home on RBI ground outs by Pat Collins and Pennock. The final tally came on a single by Earle Combs.
Feller couldn’t get an out in the third as the Yankees added three more runs. Tony Lazzeri knocked in the first one with a single, while Meusel added another with a double. Bob Muncrief was called from the bullpen and he gave up a RBI ground out to Joe Dugan and it was 7-0.
New York’s final two runs came in the fourth. Babe Ruth led off with a walk. Lou Gehrig tripled and then scored on a double by Lazzeri.
In the fifth, Cleveland’s offense came to life with three runs. Larry Doby drilled a run-scoring triple, while Eddie Robinson added a RBI single. The last run came home on a grounder by Mitchell.
Gordon hit a solo homer in the sixth to make it 9-4 to set the stage for the wild ninth inning.
The Indians used four pitchers for two innings apiece. Feller was tagged with the loss as he surrendered seven runs on six hits with four walks and no strikeouts.
Muncrief gave up two runs on two hits, while Steve Gromek was perfect in his effort. Ed Klieman finished up by allowing a hit over the last two innings as the Indians attempted their comeback.
Urban Shocker (11-2) will start the third contest of the four-game series for the Yankees, while Gene Bearden gets the ball from Boudreau.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (58-41)
1961 New York Yankees (53-45)
1968 Detroit Tigers (14-8)
1948 Cleveland Indians (14-11)
2004 Boston Red Sox (15-17)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (13-17)
1924 Washington Senators (11-19)
2005 Chicago White Sox (8-14)
1972 Oakland A’s (11-25)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 40
Roger Maris 37
Babe Ruth 35
Lou Gehrig 27