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 could do little offensively for the second day in a row, and dropped a 3-1 decision to the Tampa Bay Rays at Comerica Park. Blake Snell dominated the Tigers lineup from the jump, striking out 10 in six scoreless innings, while a C.J. Cron home run in the ninth helped them avoid a shutout.
The Rays were out in front for nearly the entire game. Jose Martinez hit his second home run in as many days in the first inning, giving his club a 1-0 lead just two batters into the game. Matthew Boyd, facing a rather tight strike zone, walked two batters after Martinez’s big fly, but escaped the jam without any further damage. Leadoff hitter Joey Wendle doubled Tampa’s lead in the third with another solo homer, his third of the season.
Boyd was otherwise fine, and held Tampa’s lineup in check for most of the afternoon. He struck out seven in six innings of work, and only gave up the two runs. Tampa only managed five hits against him after the first inning, and he did not walk another batter.
Unfortunately, the Tigers offense asked Boyd to be perfect. They managed just five hits for the entire game, three of which came from Cameron Maybin. The veteran outfielder also had the team’s only extra-base hit before Cron’s last gasp homer in the ninth.
Up next
As this was Sunday’s scheduled game, the Tigers still have one more game remaining in their series against the Rays before a three-game home set against the Seattle Mariners. The Tigers will close out the week and the month with three games against the Arizona Diamondbacks.