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.
This one got away from the 1961 New York Yankees as the 1968 Detroit Tigers came from behind to post a 6-4 victory in 12 innings.
Back-to-back homers by Norm Cash and Jim Northrup off New York reliever Luis Arroyo in the 12th proved to be the difference.
The long balls were the only hits Arroyo allowed in his three innings on the mound.
Detroit grabbed an early advantage against New York starter Whitey Ford thanks to a pair of miscues in the top of the first.
With one out, Mickey Stanley singled and reached second on a error by right fielder Roger Maris.
An errant throw to first base by New York shortstop Tony Kubek on a grounder by Al Kaline allowed Stanley to race home as the Detroit right fielder made it safely to second.
Dick McAuliffe led off the third with a solo homer to give the Tigers a 2-0 advantage.
The Yankees responded in the fourth with all of their runs to take a 4-2 lead.
A RBI double by Bill Skowron brought home New York’s first tally before a two-run triple by Clete Boyer put the Yankees on top. Ford capped the rally by smacking a double that got past Willie Horton in left field to score Boyer.
The Tigers picked up a run to close the gap to 4-3 in the eight inning.
Don Wert and pinch-hitter Gates Brown began the Frame with singles. With Wert at third, McAuliffe’s sacrifice fly got the Tigers to within a run.
In the ninth, Horton smashed a double over the head of Mickey Mantle and then scored on a single by Cash to send the contest to extra innings.
Starting for New York in the second affair of the four-game set will be Bill Stafford (17-7), while Earl Wilson gets the ball for the Tigers.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (90-57)
1961 New York Yankees (78-69)
1968 Detroit Tigers (24-14)
1948 Cleveland Indians (23-21)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (19-25)
2004 Boston Red Sox (17-27)
2005 Chicago White Sox (17-27)
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 36