Like many of our friends throughout the SB Nation network, we are simulating the 2020 MLB season with MLB The Show 20. While we are unable to stream the games as they would otherwise be happening, we will try to get ahead of the curve and post about the games on the same day they would have taken place. Now, onto the recap!
The simulated Detroit Tigers played their first extra innings game of the 2020 season on Wednesday, but came away empty when Royals center fielder Anderson Miller hit a walk-off home run in the 11th against Rony Garcia, delivering Kansas City a 3-2 victory.
The frustrating part for Detroit is that they were in control for most of the game. They put runners on base in the first two innings, but came away empty before breaking through in the third. Cameron Maybin hit a triple with one out, and scored on an RBI single from Miguel Cabrera. Christin Stewart followed with a single of his own, moving Cabrera to second. The veteran first baseman came around to score on a Niko Goodrum single, with an assist from a Jorge Soler error in right field. Harold Castro followed with a deep fly ball to center, but Miller was able to run it down, stranding two runners in scoring position.
Meanwhile, the Royals offense did precious little at the plate for the first seven innings. Daniel Norris worked five scoreless frames, allowing just two hits. Tyler Alexander followed with two great innings out of the bullpen, carving through the top of the Royals lineup with ease.
Things didn’t go so well in the eighth. New call-up Shao-Ching Chiang came on after warming up for the past couple innings, and gave up a couple of soft singles to open the frame. A sacrifice bunt moved the two runners into scoring position, and the Royals came through with a couple of key hits. Miller punched a low curveball into left field, scoring pinch runner Adalberto Mondesi, and speedy infielder Nicky Lopez beat out a potential double play ball, which tied the score at 2.
Neither offense threatened much after that. JaCoby Jones was thrown out on a close play at second base in the ninth, but the Tigers were otherwise unable to solve righthander Jesse Hahn, who threw five scoreless innings out of the bullpen for the win. Rony Garcia worked a scoreless 10th inning, but gave up the game-winner on the first pitch of the 11th for his first loss of the year.