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. Or, you know, at least get them back on schedule. Now, onto the recap!
One day after winning in blowout fashion, the simulated Detroit Tigers had the tables turned on them in a 7-1 loss against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Spencer Turnbull gave up five runs in four innings for the loss, and the Tribe managed eight extra-base hits in all against Tigers pitching.
The Indians got off to a quick start against Turnbull. Jose Ramirez lined the first pitch of the game down the left field line for a double, and moved up to third on a groundout. Francisco Lindor then turned on a first-pitch fastball for a two-run homer, putting Cleveland up 2-0. They nearly added a third run in the second when a deep fly ball eluded both Tigers outfielders after it bounced off the wall, but Ryan McMahon was a bit too greedy, and got thrown out at the plate trying to stretch a triple into an inside-the-park home run.
Cleveland’s hit parade continued in the third. Sandy Leon and Jose Ramirez hit back-to-back doubles to lead off the inning, increasing the Tribe lead to 3-0. But they ran themselves out of another scoring opportunity, as Ramirez was thrown out at third base after a pitch in the dirt. Ryan McMahon stretched Cleveland’s lead to 5-0 with a two-run homer in the fourth, and Lindor added his second of the game with a two-run shot to deep right-center in the fifth.
This was more than enough help for Clevinger, who thoroughly dominated the Tigers’ lineup. Victor Reyes led off the game with a bloop triple that eluded a diving Domingo Santana, but was stranded on base. Clevinger then limited the Tigers to just one hit over the next four innings while striking out nine. Even after the Tigers put two runners on base in the sixth, Clevinger was able to wiggle out of trouble to keep the shutout intact.
Though the game was well out of reach, it took just one pitch for the Tigers to ruin Cleveland’s shutout bid following Clevinger’s departure. Christin Stewart turned on Hunter Wood’s first offering in the bottom of the eighth, sending it over the right field wall for his second home run in as many days. The Tigers put two more runners on — including Reyes, who went 4-for-4 on the afternoon — but the inning came to a fitting end when Cameron Maybin grounded into a double play.