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 2005 Chicago White Sox were able to hang on for a 5-4 win over the 1961 New York Yankees.
White Sox starter Mark Buehrle got into trouble in the ninth as Yogi Berra and Bobby Richardson both singled to put New York runners at first and third with just one out.
Both managers made moves to set up a critical matchup at the plate. Ozzie Guillen called Dustin Hermanson out of the bullpen to face Bob Cerv as Ralph Houk picked him to pinch-hit for New York reliever Jim Coates.
Hermanson won the battle by fanning Cerv before he got Tony Kubek on a ground ball to save to win for Buehrle.
A two-run homer by Joe Crede off New York starter Rollie Sheldon put the White Sox on top 2-0 in the second inning.
The Yankees answered with a run-scoring single by Bill Skowron in the bottom of the second to cut New York’s deficit in half.
Sheldon (10-10) left after the fifth inning as he surrendered a three-run homer to Paul Konerko that gave the White Sox a 5-1 advantage.
Coates and Luis Arroyo both worked two scoreless innings as the Yankees looked to comeback.
In the sixth, Kubek doubled and Roger Maris singled before Mickey Mantle smashed a three-run homer to get the Yankees to within a run. It was the 62nd long ball of the season as he drove in his 144th run.
That was all of the offense New York could muster against Buehrle as he was able to hold off the Yankees until needing help from Hermanson.
In the finale of the five-game set, Bud Daley (9-15) gets the ball for the Yankees, while the White Sox counter with Freddy Garcia as the 22 contest season series between the two teams concludes.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (89-56)
1961 New York Yankees (78-66)
1968 Detroit Tigers (22-14)
1948 Cleveland Indians (23-21)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (19-25)
2004 Boston Red Sox (17-27)
2005 Chicago White Sox (16-26)
1924 Washington Senators (14-24)
1972 Oakland A’s (12-30)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 62
Babe Ruth 57
Roger Maris 54
Lou Gehrig 35