With the 2020 MLB season still on layoff due to the coronavirus outbreak, we continue simulating games. Here are the results for NL games from April 24-26.
It took a full month, but the Los Angeles Dodgers have finally established occupancy of first place in the National League West.
Well, co-occupancy to be precise. But as well as the Arizona Diamondbacks have been playing, that will be sufficient for the moment.
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The Dodgers eliminated their one-game deficit by taking two of three-weekend games from the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park while Arizona lost two of three in Cincinnati. One month into the simulated National League season. The teams are tied at 18-11.
In other simulated weekend NL action, the Chicago Cubs handed NL East-leading Philadelphia a setback in Chicago, sweeping their three-game series. NL Central-leading St. Louis took two of three from visiting Miami to maintain its one-game margin over the second-place Reds.
The Pirates stole the Friday opener in Pittsburgh with a ninth-inning rally off closer Kenley Jansen and Julio Urias. Trailing 3-2, the Pirates strung together hits by Gregory Polanco, Erik Gonzalez, and Kevin Kramer to push across the runs that made a winner out of reliever Joe Musgrove.
Los Angeles came back on Saturday with a 7-3 win behind David Price’s eight strong innings. Justin Turner doubled and singled, driving in three runs. Cody Bellinger hit his league-leading 13th home run of the season.
On Sunday, the Dodgers rolled to a 10-4 win for Alex Wood, his fourth against one defeat. This time Turner had three hits, including a home run, driving in three more runs. That raised his batting average to .333.