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.
Derek Lowe often gets the job done with his arm, but this time the pitcher had an impact with his bat.
Lowe led the 2004 Boston Red Sox to a 4-2 victory over the 1927 New York Yankees.
The Boston offense took advantage of New York starter Wilcy Moore (9-2), who dropped his second straight decision.
Orlando Cabrera hit a solo homer with one out in the top of the first to set the tone for the Red Sox.
In the second, it was Lowe to gave Boston a 3-0 lead.
Jason Varitek walked to begin the frame and then Bill Mueller doubled. Moore responded by retiring Trot Nixon on a fly ball and then fanning Mark Bellhorn.
Lowe smacked a double that got by Babe Ruth in right field that brought home a pair of runs.
David Ortiz drilled a homer with two outs in the fourth as he capped the Boston scoring for the game.
Moore settled down and worked seven innings giving up just five hits with five strikeouts, but the Yankees couldn’t get to Lowe even though he struggled in the sixth.
Earl Combs led off with a single and Mark Koenig followed with a double. Lowe then struck out Ruth and Lou Gehrig before gettng Tony Lazzeri to ground out to Cabrera at short.
Pinch-hitter Ben Paschal got the Yankees on the scoreboard with a sacrifice fly in the seventh.
Lowe tossed a scoreless eighth before getting into trouble in the ninth.
Joe Dugan singled with one out and then Mike Gazella was called to pinch-hit for Dutch Ruether, who replaced Moore.
Gazella tripled to knock in Dugan to cut New York’s deficit to two runs.
Not wanting to risk a continued comeback, Boston manager Terry Francona called Keith Foulke out of the bullpen and he fanned Combs to end the affair.
In the second contest of the four-game set, the Yankees will send George Pipgras (5-4) to the mound against Boston’s Bronson Arroyo.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (43-25)
1961 New York Yankees (39-28)
1968 Detroit Tigers (7-3)
1948 Cleveland Indians (8-6)
2004 Boston Red Sox (11-14)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (5-9)
1924 Washington Senators (7-15)
1972 Oakland A’s (11-25)
2005 Chicago White Sox (4-10)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Mickey Mantle 28
Babe Ruth 28
Roger Maris 26
Lou Gehrig 21