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 knocked starter Dereck Rodriguez out of the game in the third inning and cruised to an easy 6-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on Tuesday evening. Daniel Norris thew eight strong innings, allowing just one unearned run, to pick up his fifth win of the season.
Not only was Norris strong on the mound, he might have had the most important at-bat of the game. Jonathan Schoop kicked off the scoring in the top of the second with a solo home run to left, but an ill-fated double play nearly killed off the Tigers’ rally. With a runner on third and two outs, Norris roped a double down the left field line, scoring Christin Stewart to put the Tigers up 2-0. Victor Reyes followed with a single to put runners at the corners, and Cameron Maybin delivered the big blow with a triple into the left-center gap, increasing Detroit’s lead to 4-0.
Schoop started another rally in the third inning with a one-out single. Stewart followed with another single, and Schoop advanced from first to third. Austin Romine drew a walk to load the bases, and Jeimer Candelario scored Schoop with a slow ground ball to first. The Giants went to their bullpen with Norris stepping up to the plate again, but the Tigers’ starter struck out to end the inning.
From there, Norris and the Tigers were on cruise control. The lefthander was incredibly efficient, throwing just 78 pitches across his eight innings of work. He left runners stranded on base in his next couple at-bats, but that’s about the only criticism one could levy at him on the night. Norris struck out six batters in all, and did not issue a walk. After a bit of hard contact against him in the bottom of the eighth, Norris was replaced by Jose Cisnero, who struck out the side in the ninth to clinch the victory.