2020 MLB Season: Simulating NL games, May 15-17
By Bill Felber
2020 MLB Season: Simulating NL games, May 15-17
National League West
Arizona fell into a tie for the division lead when the Washington Nationals pounded Madison Bumgarner 11-1 Friday. Juan Soto hit a grand slam and Stephen Strasburg struck out nine in six innings.
But the D-Backs came back Saturday to take a 5-4 decision, all five runs coming on solo homers. Ildemaro Vargas, Ketel Marte, Christian Walker, Kole Calhoun, and Carson Kelly did the damage, four of their shots coming off Nats starter Patrick Corbin, whose record fell to 1-7.
On Sunday, Arizona preserved its share of the division lead with an 8-2 win, Vargas and Marte again homering. Stu Vogt added a double and homer and drove four runs home as Merrill Kelly ran his record to 3-1.
The Braves put together timely offense and consistent pitching to stifle San Francisco hopes. The Braves touched Dereck Rodriguez and Tony Watson for three eighth-inning runs Friday on the way to a 6-2 win for Shane Greene, working in relief of Mike Soroka.
Max Fried held the Giants to three hits and two unearned runs Saturday in a 5-2 Braves win. Tyler Flowers put Atlanta ahead to stay with a two-run home run in the second. Sean Newcomb finished off the sweep Sunday, winning for the eighth time this season against two defeats. Freddie Freeman homered twice in the 4-2 win. Kevin Gausman took the loss despite striking out 10 in seven and two-thirds innings.
Related Story. 2020 MLB Season: Simulating NL games, May 8-10. light
W-L Pct GB
Los Angeles 31-15 .674 —
Arizona 32-16 .667 —
San Diego 22-26 .458 10
San Francisco 17-31 .354 15
Colorado 15-31 .326 16