27 * 61 Yankees Replay 45: 68 Tigers at 61 Yankees

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 six-run inning allowed the 1968 Detroit Tigers to post an 8-5 win over the 1961 New York Yankees.

After five innings, the score was tied at 1-1 as the Tigers prepared to face New York’s Ralph Terry (3-4).

Willie Horton broke the deadlock with a solo homer to begin the onslaught that featured 10 batters coming to the plate and as a result ending the Yankees six-game winning streak.

Don Wert followed with a two-run double. Dick McAuliffe added a RBI double before Mickey Stanley ended the rally with a run-scoring single that made it 7-1.

The final run for the Tigers came in the seventh as Norm Cash drilled a solo shot off Tex Clevenger.

Detroit starter Mickey Lolich was looking for a complete game, but he would need help by the ninth.

The Yankees came to life in the eighth with a pair of runs as Roger Maris had a RBI double and Mickey Mantle added a sacrifice fly.

In the ninth, Lolich got touched up for a two-run homer by pinch-hitter Johnny Blanchard to get the Yankees to within 8-5.

Although Lolich needed just one more out, Don McMahon was called from the bullpen to finish off the Yankees. McMahon retired Tony Kubek on a ground ball to first to end the game.

Rollie Sheldon (2-4) is scheduled to start the finale of the three-game series for the Yankees, while the Tigers counter with Joe Sparma.

27 * 61 Replay Standings

1927 New York Yankees (28-17)
1961 New York Yankees (25-20)

1948 Cleveland Indians (6-2)
1968 Detroit Tigers (6-2)
2005 Chicago White Sox (3-3)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (3-5)
2004 Boston Red Sox (5-9)
1924 Washington Senators (7-15)
1972 Oakland A’s (7-17)

27 * 61 Home Run Totals

Roger Maris 21
Lou Gehrig 17
Babe Ruth 14
Mickey Mantle 13