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 two-run homer by Clete Boyer proved to be the difference as the 1961 New York Yankees defeated the 1972 Oakland A’s 4-1.
On the mound, Whitey Ford (17-8) limited the A’s to a pair of hits as he went the distance with four walks and five strikeouts.
The win enabled the Yankees to close out the season series against the A’s with a 17-5 advantage.
Oakland got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth as Ford loaded the bases by walking Reggie Jackson, Sal Bando and Mike Epstein.
Gene Tenace had a sacrifice fly that scored Jackson before Ford was able to get out of the jam.
In the bottom of the frame against A’s starter Catfish Hunter, the Yankees scored three times.
Bill Skowron doubled to score Mickey Mantle, who led off with a walk. Boyer followed with his 13th homer of the season and the Yankees led 3-1.
New York’s final run off Hunter came on a solo shot by Yogi Berra that was his 24th of the season.
Darold Knowles blanked the Yankees in the seventh and eighth on a hit, but the A’s offense couldn’t produce against Ford.
Bill Stafford (17-7) will start the opener for New York in the final series of the season against the 1924 Washington Senators as they counter with George Mogridge.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (94-57)
1961 New York Yankees (80-71)
1968 Detroit Tigers (26-18)
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 (12-32)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 63
Babe Ruth 60
Roger Maris 55
Lou Gehrig 37