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 1968 Detroit Tigers survived a late rally on the way to a 3-2 victory over the 1961 New York Yankees.
Detroit starter Joe Sparma was staked to a three-run advantage by his teammates before the Yankees brought their home crowd to life in the eighth inning.
Ken Boyer walked to begin the frame for the Yankees. After Roger Maris was retired on a line drive to Detroit second baseman Dick McAuliffe, Mickey Mantle drilled a two-run homer to cut New York’s deficit to a run. It was his 14th of the season.
Sparma’s day came to an end when he walked Elston Howard as Mayo Smith called Daryl Patterson from the bullpen.
A single by Johnny Blanchard had the crowd roaring, but the fans were quickly silenced as Yogi Berra grounded into a double play started by Patterson to end the inning.
Despite a pinch-hit single by Bill Skowron, Patterson was able to slam the door on the Yankees in the ninth to earn a save.
Sparma earned the win as he gave up five hits with seven strikeouts.
Rollie Sheldon (2-5) surrendered all three runs to the Tigers as he allowed eight hits with five strikeouts in seven innings. Jim Coates blanked the Tigers over the final two frames as the Yankees tried to comeback.
Willie Horton‘s two-run homer in the third put the Tigers on top before Al Kaline drive in the final tally with a RBI single in the fifth.
New York entertains the 2005 Chicago White Sox in a four-game series with Bud Daley (3-3) gets the start for the Yankees, while the White Sox counter with Orlando Hernandez.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (29-17)
1961 New York Yankees (25-20)
1948 Cleveland Indians (6-2)
1968 Detroit Tigers (7-3)
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 16
Mickey Mantle 14