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2020 MLB Season: Simulating AL games, April 10-12

By Bill Felber

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 24: Edinson Volquez #36 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the top of the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 24, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 24: Edinson Volquez #36 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the top of the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 24, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota pitcher Randy Dobnak. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Minnesota pitcher Randy Dobnak. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

2020 MLB Season: Simulating AL games (April 10-12)

American League Central

The Twins’ series victory in Chicago at least temporarily cooled the pennant fever that was beginning to take hold on the South Side. Randy Dobnak and two relievers held the Sox to one run and five hits in a 4-1 Minnesota decision on Friday, then on Sunday Nelson Cruz’s 10th inning home run broke a 4-4 tie and Taylor Rogers closed the door.

Chicago’s only victory came on Saturday when three-hit games by Leury Garcia and Yoan Moncada powered the Sox to a 7-6 decision. Moncada’s huge day included a first-inning grand slam off Homer Bailey; he also doubled twice and finished the day with five RBIs.

Cleveland took two of three weekend games from Tampa Bay to conclude a four-game series split at Progressive Field. The Indians rode Aaron Civale’s two-hitter – with late help from Oliver Perez –to a 3-0 victory Friday, then beat Blake Snell 6-5 Saturday. Tampa led 5-2 before Roberto Perez’s three-run seventh-inning home run tied the game; Cesar Hernandez drove home the winner in the bottom of the eighth.

The Rays, who had won on Thursday, locked down the series split with a 16-8 rout on Sunday. Yandy Diaz drove in five runs with three hits including a double and homer, while Hunter Renfroe and Willy Adames each had four-hit games. Renfroe hit two of the Rays’ six home runs off Zach Plesac and four Indians relievers.

The Angels took two of three from Detroit, including a 4-2 Friday win behind Andrew Heaney’s seven strong innings. Anthony Rendon drove in all four runs, three on a third-inning home run.

Detroit evened the series with a 4-3 Saturday victory as Jordan Zimmerman scattered seven hits across eight innings. On Sunday, the Angels rode eight strong innings from Cam Bedrosian to a 5-0 lead. It took four relievers but they finally turned that into a 5-3 win, stifling a Tiger ninth-inning rally.

Related Story. 2020 MLB Season: Simulating AL games, April 6-9. light

                                W-L        Pct         GB

Minnesota          12-4       .750        —

Cleveland            10-6       .625        2

Chicago                  9-6       .600        2.5

Kansas City           8-8       .500        4

Detroit                    6-9       .400        5.5

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