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!
The simulated Detroit Tigers lost another home series on Sunday, dropping a 7-3 decision to the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Jordan Zimmermann was tagged for five runs in 4 1⁄3 innings for his fourth loss of the season.
This one started out a lot like Saturday’s 7-1 loss. Zimmermann retired Cleveland’s leadoff hitter on just one pitch, but gave up three consecutive hits after that — though I thought the first one should have been an error on third baseman Jeimer Candelario. The third, a three-run home run from Franmil Reyes, gave the Indians a 3-0 lead before the Tigers even came to bat.
Though Tribe starter Carlos Carrasco looked sharp early on, the Tigers kept this game more competitive than their previous matchup. They plated a run in the bottom of the second, when Jonathan Schoop drove in Niko Goodrum after a triple to lead off the inning. Clint Frazier followed with a double to put two runners in scoring position with one out, but the bottom of the Detroit lineup came up empty, leaving the score at 3-1 after two frames.
Zimmermann settled down for a couple of frames after his rough first, but the Indians broke through again in the fourth. Reyes, Carlos Santana, and Ryan McMahon all threaded singles through the Tigers infield, loading the bases with no outs. Jordan Luplow beat out a potential double play ball, though the run would have scored either way. The Tigers defense did what they could to bail out Zimmermann, however, turning an inning-ending double play immediately after. But then Delino DeShields Jr. added a solo home run in the top of the fifth, ending Zimmermann’s day after just 4 1⁄3 frames.
The Tigers started to chip away in the middle innings. Grayson Greiner led off the bottom of the fifth with a single, and advanced to second on a throwing error from Jose Ramirez. Isaac Paredes plated him with a double into the left field gap for his first career RBI. Jeimer Candelario grounded out, but Cameron Maybin came through with an RBI single, scoring Paredes to make it 5-3.
Detroit’s best chance to further close the gap came in the bottom of the seventh, as Greiner led off the inning with a double. Candelario hit a deep fly ball with one out, but it was run down by DeShields in center. But with another RBI opportunity in front of him, Maybin struck out to end the inning.
The Indians then took control from there, scoring two runs off Buck Farmer in the top of the eighth. Detroit wasn’t able to gain any traction against Cleveland’s bullpen after that, going down in order in both the eighth and ninth.
With the loss, the Tigers are 1-6 in their last seven games. They have won just one of their first six matchups of the current 10-game homestand.
Up next
The Tigers will welcome the first place Minnesota Twins to Comerica Park for a four-game series this week before heading out on their first west coast trip of the year. They will take on the Seattle Mariners over the weekend before a quick two-game set against the San Francisco Giants next week.