Nine-Inning Doubleheaders in the Pythagorean Universe, 2020-21

Of all the changes I hated during the Pandemic Era of MLB, the seven-inning doubleheader made the least sense to me.

Most of them (no fans, sixty-game schedule, last two rounds of the playoffs and World Series at neutral sites) were regrettable but necessary. Even the courtesy runner in extra innings is no worse than three-on-three overtime and the shootout in the NHL or the shorter overtime periods in the NFL and NBA. But seven-inning doubleheaders, especially when the rosters were overflowing with pitchers to the point where some teams had no bench to speak of except for the backup catcher, was going a bit far.

Thankfully, this rule doesn't apply in the Pythagorean universe, and in this thread we'll see how the seasons in question would have been affected if both ends of doubleheaders had been played to their proper conclusion. Before I go any further, there's one unavoidable rule change: In games played at National League parks, the DH is eliminated, and everyone moves up one spot in the lineup so the pitcher can bat ninth. This isn't anything I can control; WhatIf Sports doesn't recognize the universal DH until 2022.

Standings for 2020 coming soon!
 
Last edited:
We'll start with the American League. First, the East:

Tampa Bay Rays: 36-24 (-4)
New York Yankees: 34-26- 2 GB (+1)
Toronto Blue Jays: 29-31- 7 GB (-3)
Baltimore Orioles: 28-32- 8 GB (+3)
Boston Red Sox: 25-35- 11 GB (+1)

Next, the Central:

(tie) Minnesota Twins: 36-24 (0)
(tie) Chicago White Sox: 36-24 (+ 1)
Cleveland Indians: 35-25- 1 GB (0)
Kansas City Royals: 27-33- 9 GB (+1)
Detroit Tigers: 23-35- 12 GB (0)

Finally, the West:

Oakland Athletics: 35-25 (-1)
Houston Astros: 30-30- 5 GB (+1)
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: 28-32- 7 GB (+2)
Seattle Mariners: 25-35- 10 GB (-2)
Texas Rangers: 21-39- 14 GB (-1)

The top two teams in each division and the top two third-place teams make the playoffs, Here's how the seeds look at the moment:

Division Leaders:

1, Rays (hold division record tiebreaker over Twins)
2, Twins (have outscored White Sox head-to-head)
3. Athletics- 1 GB

Second place teams:

4. White Sox
5. Yankees- 2 GB
6. Astros- 6 GB

Third place teams:

7. Indians
8. Blue Jays- 6 GB
9. Angels/Orioles (tie)- 7 GB

Next: The National League standings.

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
Now for the National League standings, beginning in the East:

Atlanta Braves: 35-25 (0)
Philadelphia Phillies: 30-30- 5 GB (+2)
Washington Nationals: 29-31- 6 GB (+3)
New York Mets: 28-32- 7 GB (+2)
Miami Marlins: 26-34- 9 GB (-5)

Now for the Central:

Chicago Cubs: 33-27 (-1)
St. Louis Cardinals: 30-28- 2 GB (0)
Cincinnati Reds: 30-30- 3 GB (-1)
Milwaukee Brewers: 28-32- 5 GB (-1)
Pittsburgh Pirates: 22-38- 11 GB (+3)

Finally, the West:

Los Angeles Dodgers: 43-17 (0)
San Diego Padres: 38-22- 5 GB (+1)
San Francisco Giants: 30-30- 13 GB (+1)
Arizona Diamondbacks: 27-33- 16 GB (+2)
Colorado Rockies: 23-37- 20 GB (-3)

As in the American League, the top two teams in each division make the playoffs, along with the top two third place teams. Here's how the seeds look at the moment:

Division Leaders:

1. Dodgers
2. Braves- 8 GB
3. Cubs- 10 GB

Second place teams:

4, Padres
5, Cardinals- 7 GB
6. Phillies- 8 GB

Third place teams:

7. Reds (hold division record tiebreaker over Giants)
8, Giants
9, Nationals- 1 GB

Next: Our first doubleheader.

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
Our first doubleheader comes on August 2 at Comerica Park in Detroit, where the Tigers are hosting the Reds:

Game 1:

Reds 4, Tigers 3 (4-3 Reds after seven)

There was no scoring in the final two innings, The Tigers left the tying run at second in the eighth and at first in the ninth.

Game 2:

Reds 4, Tigers 1 (4-0 Reds after seven)

Reds starter Trevor Bauer left after eight innings with a two-hit shutout. In the bottom of the ninth, Tigers shortstop Harold Castro reached on an infield single, moved to second pm a walk to designated hitter Miguel Cabrera, and scored on a one-out single by left fielder Christin Stewart. A two-out walk to right fielder Jeimer Candelario loaded the bases, but catcher Grayson Greiner struck out swinging to end the game with the bases still loaded. Reds reliever Rafael Iglesias notched his ninth save of the season.

S- CIN: Iglesias (9)

There was no change in the standings.

Next: A pair of doubleheaders on August 5. First, the Orioles face the Marlins. Then, the Phillies battle the Yankees.

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
Now for the two doubleheaders on August 5. First, the Marlins travel to Camden Yards to take on the Orioles.

Game 1:

Marlins 1, Orioles 0 (1-0 Marlins after seven)

There was no further scoring. Five Marlins pitchers combined on a four-hit shutout, with Brad Boxberger going the final two innings to notch his first save.

S- Boxberger (1)

Game 2:

Marlins 2. Orioles 1 (2-1 Marlins after six and a half)

There was no further scoring. Miami closer Brandon Kintzler came in with the tying run at third in the top of the eighth and got the final four outs to pick up his thirteenth save.

S- Kintzler (13)

Note: In Game 2, the Marlins were recognized as the home team and batted in the bottom half of each inning.

Now for our second twin bill, as the Yankees travel to Citizens Bank Park to take on the Phillies.

Game 1:

Phillies 13, Yankees 9 (11-7 Phillies after seven)

Note: In this game, the Yankees were recognized as the home team and batted in the bottom half of each inning.

In the top of the eighth, Phillies third baseman Jean Segura led off with a single to right. After second baseman Sean Kingery struck out swinging for the first out, shortstop DIdi Gregorius hit a two-run homer over the left center field fence to increase the Phils' lead to 13-7. It was his eleventh home run of the year.

In the bottom of the eighth, right fielder Nate Tauchman led off with a base hit to right. After catcher Kyle Higashioka struck out swinging, left fielder Brett Gardner walked. Second baseman Thairo Estrada's popup was caught by Segura for the second out, but designated hitter Aaron Judge's double to left center scored Taushima and Gardner to bring the Yanks within 13-9.

The Yankees stranded runners at first and second in the eighth, then left runners at first and third in the ninth. Pitcher Brandon Workman pitched out of the first-and-third jam in the ninth to earn his sixth save.

S= Workman (6)
HR- PHI: Gregorius (11)

Game 2:

Yankees 4, Phillies 1 (3-1 Yankees after seven)

Judge led off the top of the eighth with a home run down the left field line and into the first row of seats. It was his tenth homer of the year. Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth inning to earn his fourth save.

S- Chapman (4)
HR- NYY: Judge (10)

There was no change in the standings.

Next: The Yanks play another doubleheader on August 8 when they face the Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
There's been a change of plans: I'm going to do the days with more than one doubleheader first and get them out of the way. So we fast-forward to August 15, where our first twofer sees the Cardinals traveling to Chicago to battle the White Sox:

Game 1:

Cardinals 5, White Sox 1 (5-1 Cardinals after seven)

There was no further scoring. The White Sox loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth on two walks and an error, but Cardinals reliever Austin Gomber retired designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion on a fly ball to right center to end the inning, then retired the Pale Hose in the ninth to record his first save of the season.

S- Gomber (1)

Game 2:

Cardinals 11, White Sox 5 (6-3 Cardinals after seven)

The Cards exploded for five runs in the top of the eighth to put the game out of reach. Yadier Molina, batting for catcher Matt Wieters, led off with a single to right center. Second baseman Kolten Wong followed with another base hit to right center that put runners at the corners. Center fielder Harrison Bader went down swinging for out number one, but shortstop Tommy Edman golfed reliever Jimmy Cordero's first pitch over the wall in right center for a three-run homer to make it 9-3 St. Louis.

Aaron Bummer was next out of the Chicago pen, and he retired designated hitter Matt Carpenter on a fly to left. But first baseman Paul Goldschmidt kept the inning alive with a bloop single to left, and left fielder Tyler O'Neil put the finishing touch on the inning when he powered a hanging curveball over the wall in left for a two--run homer that extended the Redbirds' lead to 11-3. O'Neil hit his eighth homer of the year, while Edman clubbed his sixth.

The White Sox got a run back in the bottom of the eighth. Third baseman Yoan Moncada lined a two-out double off the wall in left and scored on designated hitter Yasmani Grandal's single to right center. The home squad went on to load the bases, but catcher James McCann popped out to Goldschmidt at first to retire the side,

The Sox got their fifth run in the bottom of the ninth when center fielder Luis Robert lined the first pitch he saw over the wall in left for his twelfth home run of the year,

Since the Cardinals widened their lead beyond the parameters for a save in the final two innings, Andrew Miller's real-life save has been disallowed. He now has three for the year.

HR- STL: O'Neil (8), Edman (6)
CWS: Robert (12)

DS- Miller (3)

Our second twin bill features an American League Central battle, as the Twins host the Royals at Target Field in Minneapolis.

Game 1:

Twins 5, Royals 2 (4-2 Twins after six and a half)

Twins left fielder Eddie Rosario led off the bottom of the eighth by blasting his fourteenth home run of the season to deep right center field. The Royals loaded the bases in the top of the ninth on two singles and a walk, but left fielder Alex Gordon's bouncer to short ended the game. Trevor May came out of the Twins' pen to retire Gordon and earn his third save.

S- May (3)

HR- MIN: Rosario (14)

Game 2:

Royals 6, Twins 2 (4-2 Royals after seven)

The Royals scored a pair of insurance runs in the top of the eighth. First baseman Ryan O'Hearn lined a leadoff double into the left center power alley. and third baseman Mikael Franco's lined single to right brought him home to put the Royals up 5-2. Second baseman Nicky Lopez walked, and after two out right fielder Whit Merrifield stroked a single up the middle to score Franco with the sixth Kansas City run. Carlos Hernandez got the final four outs to record his first major league save.

Royals reliever Trevor Rosenthal's save has been disallowed. He now has six for the Royals and ten for the season. (The other four were for the Padres.)

S- Hernandez (1)
DS- Rosenthal (10)

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: We focus on August 19. First, the Cardinals and Cubs renew acquaintances at Wrigley Field. Then, the Reds and Royals get together at Kauffman Stadium,

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
It's August 19, and we have another pair of doubleheaders. First, let's head to Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, where the Royals are entertaining the Reds,

Game 1:

Royals 4, Reds 0 (4-0 Royals after six and a half)

There was no further scoring. Royals reliever Greg Holland stranded runners at first and second in the ninth to secure his seventh save of the season. Four Kansas City combined to toss a four-hit shutout,

Trevor Rosenthal has had another save disallowed. He now has five for the Royals and nine for the season.

DS- Rosenthal (9)
S- Holland (7)

Game 2:

Reds 5, Royals 0 (5-0 Reds after seven)

There was no further scoring. Reds starter Trevor Bauer retired the last six Royals hitters in order to finish his one-hit shutout.

Next, we head to Wrigley Field in Chicago, where the Cardinals are facing the Cubs:

Game 1:

Cardinals 11, Cubs 6 (9-3 Cardinals after seven)

The Cubs scored three times in the bottom of the eighth to trim their deficit, Center fielder Albert Almora Jr. drew a one-out walk. Second baseman Jason Kipnis singled up the middle to put runners at the corners. After designated hitter Victor Caratini struck out swinging for out number two, shortstop Nico Hoerner banged a double to right center that scored Almora and Kipnis to bring the Cubbies within 9-5. Right fielder Ian Happ followed with a base hit to right that brought Hoerner home to make it 9-6. Reliever Genesis Cabrera came out of the St. Louis bullpen to strike out third baseman David Bote and end the inning,

The Cards increased their lead with a pair of runs in the top of the ninth. Right fielder Dexter Fowler reached on Hoerner's throwing error and scored on a triple by center fielder Dylan Carlson. Catcher Matt Wieters' grounder to first scored Carlson with the Redbirds' eleventh run.

Game 2;

Cubs 5, Cardinals 2 (4-2 Cubs after seven)

The Cubs added an insurance run in the top of the eighth. First baseman Anthony Rizzo lined a double off the wall in right center with one out and scored on shortstop Javy Baez's single to left. Cubs reliever Kyle Ryan worked out of a first-and-second mess in the bottom of the ninth to earn his second save of the season.

Craig Kimbrel's save has been disallowed. He now has one for the season.

Note: In this game, the Cardinals were considered the home team and batted in the bottom of each inning.

S- Ryan (2)
DS- Kimbrel (1)

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: Two doubleheaders on August 25. First. the Marlins and Mets clash at Citi Field, Then, we see the American League West for the first time, as the Angels meet the Astros at Houston's Minute Maid Park,

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
As a special added attraction, here's the ending of the July 23 game between the Yankees and the Nationals from Nationals Park in Washington, As we pick up the action, the Yankees lead 4-1 in the top of the sixth with one out.

Yankees 7, Nationals 1

Second baseman Tyler Wade popped up the first pitch of the restart to second for out number two, but Aaron Hicks' single past a diving Max Scberzer scored first baseman Luke Voit to extend the Yanks' lead to 5-1. Hicks stole second, then came home on Aaron Judge's base hit up the middle. Shortstop Gleyber Torres closed the scoring with a double off the wall in right center that scored Judge to make it 7-1.

Gerrit Cole got the win, giving up just one run on two hits in eight innings.

Here's another special treat:

On August 16, the Rays and Blue Jays completed a game that had been suspended after three innings the night before. They decided to shorten the regularly scheduled game to seven innings to save their pitching staffs. The game went eight innings, as it was tied at five after seven. Shortstop Willy Adames hit a two-run homer in the top of the eighth to put the Rays ahead 7-5. Would playing a ninth inning have changed anything? Let's find out:

Rays 11, Blue Jays 5

The Rays scored four runs in the top of the ninth to put the game away. Hunter Renfroe began the inning as the courtesy runner at second. Vatcher Michael Perez was hit on the leg by a pitch to put two men on. After designated hitter Austin Meadows took a called third strike, second baseman Brandon Lowe doubled off the top of the center field wall to bring Renfroe home and make it 8-5. Third baseman Mike Brosseau's fly ball to left dropped on the warning track and went over the wall for a book-rule double to score Perez and Lowe to widen the Tampa lead to 10-5. First baseman Ji-Man Choi struck out swinging for the second out, but left fielder Manuel Margot's bloop double to shallow left center brought Brosseau home and established the final score,

Note 1: Since this was an extra-inning game in real life, I decided to keep the courtesy runner rule. I'll do the same for any games that are tied after nine innings.

Note 2; This game was played at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, which served as the Jays' temporary home during the pandemic.

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: The pair of doubleheaders from August 25.

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
Put briefly, the Pythagorean Universe, as I call it, exists because of a hopelessly complicated mathematical formula that uses run (or point, depending on the sport in question) differential to determine how many games a team "should" have won in a given year. I've rewritten large parts of MLB and NFL history using its findings, and I've also dabbled in pro basketball, even though I'm not an NBA person. The win totals I use for these threads can be found on Baseball Reference, Pro Football Reference, and Basketball Reference.

Thanks for reading!
 
I've found a day where every game was part of a doubleheader, so with your permission I'd like to ger it out of the way while I have some extra time. It's Thursday, August 27, and our first stop is Miller Park in Milwaukee, where the Brewers are hosting the Reds.

Game 1:

Reds 7, Brewers 3 (6-1 Reds after seven)

With two out in the top of the eighth, Brewers second baseman Mark Mathias bobbled a grounder from Reds center fielder Shogo Akiyama, allowing him to reach. Right fielder Nick Castellanos followed with a double off the wall in right center to score Akiyama and give the Reds a 7-1 lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, Brewers right fielder Ben Gamel led off with a fly ball to right center that fell in for a double. Catcher Omar Narvaez sent Castellanos back to the wall in right to track down his fly ball for the first out, but shortstop Orlando Arcia followed with a two-run homer into the seats in right center to cut the Cincy lead to 7-3. It was his sixth home run of the year.

HR- MIL: Arcia (6)

Game 2:

Reds 8, Brewers 0 (6-0 Reds after seven)

The Reds added a pair of runs in the top of the eighth. Catcher Tucker Barnhart led off with a book-rule double over the right field wall. After Akiyama and Castellanos both struck out, third baseman Eugenio Suarez hit a two-run homer over the wall in left center, his sixteenth of the year, to extend the Reds' lead to 8-0. Five Reds pitchers combined on a three-hit shutout.

HR- CIN: Suarez (16)

Now out to Oracle Park in San Francisco, where the Dodgers are taking on the Giants.

Game 1:

Dodgers 9, Giants 0 (7-0 Dodgers after seven)

The Dodgers added two insurance runs in the top of the eighth. Catcher Austin Barnes led off with a double to left. Right fielder Mookie Betts followed with a high fly ball to right that was dropped by his counterpart Joey Rickard. Barnes came home to make it 8-0, and Rickard was charged with a two-base error. Shortstop Corey Seager was next, and his single to left center brought Betts home to make it 9-0. Five Dodger pitchers combined on a five-hit shutout,

Game 2:

Dodgers 2, Giants 0 (2-0 Dodgers after seven)

There was no further scoring. Eight Dodger pitchers combined on a four-hit shutout.

Kenley Jansen's save has been disallowed. He now has ten for the year,

DS- Jansen (10)

Our third stop is Petco Park in San Diego, where the Padres are hosting the Mariners.

Game 1:

Padres 14, Mariners 8 (10-7 Padres with two out in the bottom of the seventh)

With one out in the top of the eighth, Mariners reliever Dan Altavilla, forced to bat because the team had forfeited the designated hitter earlier, lined a one-out single to right center. After shortstop J.P. Crawford flew to left center for the first out, left fielder Sam Haggerty ripped a double down the line un left. Pinch runner Donovan Walton scored from first, and the Mariners were within 10-8.

The Padres put the game on ice with four runs in the bottom of the eighth. Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. led off with a double into the right center power alley. Third baseman Manny Machado followed with a base hit to right center that scored Tatis with the Friars' eleventh run. Machado promptly stole second and scored on first baseman Eric Hosmer's single up the middle. Second baseman Jake Cronenworth struck out swinging for out number one, but right fielder Wil Myers put the cherry on the sundae with his second home run in as many innings, a two-run blast to dead center field that gave the home squad a 14-8 advantage. It was Myers' sixteenth homer of the year.

HR- SD: Myers (16)

Game 2:

Mariners 8, Padres 3 (8-3 Mariners after seven)

There was no further scoring.

Our fourth and final stop is Busch Stadium in St. Louis, where the Cardinals are hosting the Pirates.

Game 1:

I'm going to give a brief summary of each half-inning so I don't forget about the courtesy runners. Here we go:

The Pirates led 4-3 after eight innings, In the top of the ninth, Adam Frazier was the courtesy runner for the Pirates, who went down in order.

In the bottom of the ninth, Max Schrock was the courtesy runner for the Cardinals. He moved to third with two out on a single to left center by Dexter Fowler and scored on Dylan Carlson's single to right center. Kolten Wong forced Carlson to end the inning. We were tied at four after nine.

In the top of the tenth, Erik Gonzalez was the courtesy runner for the Pirates. He moved to third when leadoff batter Cole Tucker grounded to second. After shortstop Kevin Newman walked, designated hitter Josh Bell struck out swinging for out number two, Left fielder Bryan Reynolds then singled up the middle to score Gonzalez and give the Bucs a 5-4 lead.

In the bottom of the tenth. Kolten Wong was the courtesy runner for the Cardinals, who went down in order. Final score in ten: Pirates 5, Cardinals 4.

W- Sam Howard (3-3)
S- Tyler Bashlor (1)
L- Nabll Crismatt (0-1)

Original winning pitcher Chris Stratton's record is now 1-1. Original losing pitcher John Gant's record is now 0-2.

Game 2:

We're going to get into courtesy runners again before this is over, so let's summarize:

The Pirates led 2-0 after seven innings. In the bottom of the eighth. center fielder Harrison Bader lined a leadoff single to left center. Third baseman Tommy Edman then limed a 2-0 fastball from Pirates reliever Sam Howard into the seats in right center field to tie the game at two. It was his seventh homer of the year,

The score was still tied after nine. In the top of the tenth, Frazier was the courtesy runner for the Pirates again. He moved to third on Reynolds' bouncer to second. Bell walked to put runners at the corners. After designated hitter Gregory Polanco struck out swinging for the second out. Tucker singled to right center to score Frazier and put the Pirates up 3-2, which turned out to be the final score.

W- Dovydas Neverauskas (1-3)
S- Rich Rodriguez (5)
L- Genesis Cabrera (4-2)

HR- STL: Edman (7)

Original winning pitcher Cody Ponce's record is now 0-1. Original losing pitcher Johan Oviedo's record is now 0-2. Also, Nik Turley's save has been disallowed. He now has none for the year.

There was no movement in the standings.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
I'm a little short on time today because of football, so I'm going to do the two doubleheaders from August 25. First, the Mets face the Marlins at Citi Field.

Game 1:

Marlins 4, Mets 0 (Marlins led 4-0 after seven)

There was no further scoring. The Mets loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth with two singles and a walk, but reliever Nick Vincent came out of the Miami bullpen to get the final two outs and pick up his fourth save of the season.

Brandon Kintzler's save has been disallowed. He's back to his original total of twelve for the season.

S- Vincent (4)
DS- Kintzler (12)

Game 2:

Marlins 3, Mets 2 (Marlins led 3-0 after six and a half)

The Mets scored twice in the top of the ninth against Kintzler. With one out, catcher Wilson Ramos stroked a ground-rule double to right. After a walk to left fielder Brandon Nimmo, third baseman J.D. Davis smacked a double into the right center power alley to score both Ramos and Nimmo and bring the Mets within 3-2. Right fielder Michael Conforto's grounder to short moved the tying run to third with two out, but Kintzler struck out designated hitter Pete Alonzo to end the game and "re-earn" his thirteenth save.

Nick Vincent's save has been disallowed. He's back to his original total of three.

S- Kintzler (13)
DS- Vincent (3)

Note: In this game, the Marlins were recognized as the home team and batted in the bottom of each inning.

Now to Minute Maid Park in Houston, where the Astros are hosting the Angels,

Game 1:

Astros 9, Angels 3 (Astros led 6-3 after six and a half)

The Stros added two runs in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, left fielder Kyle Tucker singled to left. Designated hitter Taylor Jones followed with a two-run homer into the seats in left center field, his second of the year, to make it 8-3 Houston.

The home squad added another run in the bottom of the eighth. Center fielder Myles Straw doubled off the wall in right center with one out. After second baseman Jose Altuve flew to left for out number two, shortstop Carlos Correa singled up the middle to score Straw and make it 9-3.

Astros reliever Ryan Pressly's save has been disallowed. He now has eleven for the year.

DS- Pressly (11)

HR- HOU: Jones (3)

Game 2:

Angels 12, Astros 5 (Angels led 12-5 after seven)

There was no further scoring.

There was no movement in the standings,

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
Put briefly, the Pythagorean Universe, as I call it, exists because of a hopelessly complicated mathematical formula that uses run (or point, depending on the sport in question) differential to determine how many games a team "should" have won in a given year. I've rewritten large parts of MLB and NFL history using its findings, and I've also dabbled in pro basketball, even though I'm not an NBA person. The win totals I use for these threads can be found on Baseball Reference, Pro Football Reference, and Basketball Reference.

Thanks for reading!
Got it.
 
I just found the busiest doubleheader day of the 2020 season: Friday, September 4, No less than five twin bills were played, and we'll look at four and a half of them. (Game i between the Yankees and Orioles went the full nine innings, with the Yankees winning 6-5.)

Let's begin at Fenway Park in Boston, where the Blue Jays are hosting the Red Sox.

Game 1:

Red Sox 9, Blue Jays 8 (Blue Jays led 8-7 after seven)

The Red Sox scored twice in the bottom of the eighth to finish their comeback from an 8-4 deficit. Left fielder Yaro Munoz led off with a single to left center. After first baseman Mchael Chavis' fly was caught at the wall by Jays center fielder Randal Grichuk for the first out, second baseman Jose Peraza lined a double off the wall in left to score Munoz and tie the game at eight. Right fielder Alex Verdugo went down swinging for out number two, but third baseman Rafael Devers singled up the middle to score Peraza with the eventual winning run. Red Sox reliever Phillips Valdez retired the Jays in order in the ninth to earn his first save of the season,

W- Ryan Brasier (2-0)
S- Phillips Valdez (1)
L- Tom Hatch (3-2)

Original winning pitcher A,J, Cole's record is now 2-0. Anthony Bass' save has been disallowed; he now has six for the year. Original losing pitcher Zack Godley's record is now 0-3.

Game 2:

Blue Jays 4, Red Sox 3 (Red Sox led 3-2 after seven)

The Jays were the ones who came back this time. scoring twice in the bottom of the ninth to stun the Bosox. Second baseman Cavan Biggio lined a two-out single to right. Center fielder Randal Grichuk followed with a double to center that scored Biggio to tie the game at three. Afte third baseman Santiago Espinal walked, designated hitted Teoscar Hernandez lined a base hit up the middle to bring Grichuk home with the winning run,

W- Jordan Romano (3-1)
L- Ryan Weber (1-4)

Original winning pitcher Josh Taylor's record is now 0-1. Matt Barnes' save has been disallowed; he now has eight for the year. Original losing pitcher Ross Stripling's record is now 0-1 with the Blue Jays, 3-2 overall.

Now to the second game of the Yankees-Orioles doubleheader from Camden Yards in Baltimore:

Orioles 7, Yankees 4 (Orioles led 6-3 after seven)

The Orioles added a run in the bottom of the eighth. Third baseman Rio Ruiz banged a one-out double off the wall in left and scored on second baseman Pat Valaika's bloop single to right to put the Os up 7-3,

The Yankees got that run back in the top of the ninth. Gary Sanchez, batting for catcher Erik Kratz, led off with a single up the middle and scored on a two-out double down the left field line by center fielder Aaron Hicks. A pair of walks loaded the bases for New York, but Os reliever Tanner Scott got Yankees right fielder Clint Frazier to bounce into a game-ending force play.

Reliever Cesar Valdez's save has been disallowed. He now has two for the year.

S- Scott (2)
DS- Valdez (1)

Now to Target Field in Minneapolis, where the Tigers are taking on the Twins:

Game 1:

Twins 9, Tigers 3 (Twins led 2-0 after six and a half)

The Twins extended their lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh. Right fielder Marwin Gonzalez bashed a leadoff triple off the top of the wall in left. After second baseman Ehire Adrianza went down swinging for out number one, center fielder Byron Buxton's sacrifice fly to right brought Gonzalez home to make it 3-0. Left fielder Jake Cave was next, and he hit a blooper that dropped on the right field line and bounced into the corner, then got away from Tigers right fielder Pat Demeritte. Cave never stopped running, even ignoring the stop sign from Twins third base coach Tony Diaz. Demeritte's throw to the plate was cut off, and Cave had an inside-the-park home run, his fifth of the year, to give the Twins a 4-0 lead,

The Tigers cut into the Minnesota lead with two runs in the top of the eighth. Third baseman Isaac Paredes drew a one-out walk and moved to third on center fielder Victor Reyes' single to right center. Reyes then stole second. and both runners came home when second baseman Jonathan Schoop lined a base hit to left center, bringing the Tigers within 4-2.

The Twins exploded for five runs in the bottom of the eighth. Shortstop Jorge Polanco beat out a bouncer to third for a leadoff infield single. After third baseman Josh Donaldson struck out swinging. designated hitter Nelson Cruz socked a double to left that scored Polanco to put the Twins up 5-2.

First baseman Miguel Sano followed with another double. this one to left center. Pinch runner Aaron Whitefield scored, and it was 6-2 Minnesota. A wild pitch from Tigers reliever Daniel Norris moved Sano to third, and he trotted home on Gonzalez's sacrifice fly to make it 7-2. Adrianza walked on five pitches, and Buxton topped things off with a towering two-run homer into the left field upper deck. his sixteenth of the year. The Twins now led 9-2.

The Tigers scored a run in the top of the ninth. Castro lined a one-out triple into the left field corner and came home on Bonifacio's grounder to first.

Twins reliever Taylor Rogers' save has been disallowed. He now has eight for the year.

HR- MIN: Buxton (16), Cave (5)
DS- Rogers (8)

Game 2:

Twins 4, Tigers 2 (Twins led 3-2 after eight)

The Twins added an insurance run in the top of the ninth. Adrianza began the inning as the courtesy runner at second. He moved to third with one out when Polanco beat out a bouncer to third for an infield single and scored on Sano's base hit up the middle.

Note: In this game, the Tigers were considered the home team and batted in the bottom of each inning.

Next, we go to Truist Park in Atlanta to check in on the Nationals and the Braves:

Game 1:

Braves 7, Nationals 1 (Braves led 7-1 after six and a half)

There was no further scoring.

Game 2:

Nationals 12. Braves 9 (Nationals led 10-9 after seven)

The Nats added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the eighth. First baseman Eric Thames drew a one-out walk. Third baseman Wilmer Difo flew to shallow right center for out number two, but second baseman Luis Garcia's single to left kept the inning alive and brought up right fielder Michael A, Taylor, whose double into the right center power alley scored Thames and Garcia to extend the Washington lead to 12-9. Reliever Ryne Harper pitched out if a first-and-third jam in the bottom of the ninth to earn his first save of the season.

Daniel Hudson's save has been disallowed. He now has nine for the year.

S- Harper (1)
DS- Hudson (9)

Our fifth and final stop is Pittsburgh's PNC Park, where the Pirates are hosting the Reds.

Game 1:

Reds 8, Pirates 4 (Reds led 4-2 after seven)

The Reds added two runs in the top of the eighth. Center fielder Brian Goodwin worked a leadoff walk, and catcher Curl Casali followed with a two-run homer over the Clemente Wall in right field to give the Reds a 6-2 lead. This was Casali's seventh home run of the year.

The Reds added two more runs in the top of the ninth. Right fielder Nick Castellanos drew a leadoff walk. After designated hitter Mike Moustakas struck out swinging, third baseman Eugenio Suarez hit a two-hopper to his counterpart Ke'Bryan Hayes, who looked to start an inning-ending double play. But his throw to second was wide of the bag and got away from second baseman Kevin Newman. Castellanos went to third, while Suarez ended up at second. A walk to eft fielder Shogo Akiyama loaded the bases, but Bucco reliever Chris Stratton struck Goodwin out swinging, and there were two down. That brought up Casali, who blew the game wide open with a base hit to left center, Castellanos and Suarez both scored, which gave Casali four RBIs in two innings and the Reds an 8-2 lead.

The Bucs mounted a comeback of sorts in the bottom of the ninth. Center fielder Cole Tucker stroked a leadoff single up the middle, Adam Frazier, who was catching for the first time in his major league career, lifted a fly ball to right that Castellanos dropped, putting runners at first and second. Reds reliever Amir Garrett struck out shortstop Erik Gonzalez swinging, then caught Newman looking. Left fielder Bryan Reynolds was the Pirates' last hope. and his bloop into right center fell on for a double. Tucker and Frazier both scored, and the Bucs were back within 8-4. But Garrett rebounded to strike out designated hitter Colin Moran swinging to end the game.

Rafael Iglesias' save has been disallowed. He now has eight for the season.

DS- Iglesias (9)

HR- CIN: Casali (7)

Game 2:

I'm going to go the summary route with this one:

The Pirates led 4-3 after seven. The Reds tied the game in the bottom of the eighth when Suarez hit a two-out homer to left center. his seventeenth of the season.

In the top of the tenth, Cole Tucker was the courtesy runner, pinch running for catcher John Ryan Murphy. He moved to third on Newman's grounder to first and scored when Frazier beat out a grounder to short for an infield single. The Bucs led 5-4 after nine and a half.

In the bottom of the tenth, Tucker Barnhart was the courtesy runner for the Reds, who loaded the bases on a pair of walks. But Derek Holland, normally a starter, came out of the bullpen to retire left fielder Kyle Farmer on a grounder to first to end the game. Our final in ten; Pirates 5, Reds 4.

W- Geoff Hartlieb (2-0)
S- Derek Holland (1)
L- Michael Lorenzon (3-2)

Rich Rodriguez's save has been disallowed. He now has four for the season, Original winning pitcher Sam Howard's record is now 2-3. Original losing pitcher Trevor Bauer's record is now 5-3.

HR- CIN: Suarez (17)

DS- Rodriguez (4)

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
Our first day with three doubleheaders is August 29. We begin at Comerica Park in Detroit, where the Tigers are hosting the Twins:

Game 1:

Tigers 9, Twins 2 (Tigers led 8-2 after six and a half)

The Tigers added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. Right fielder Victor Reyes led off with a single to left. He moved to second when Twins reliever Trevor May threw a pickoff attempt over the head of first baseman Miguel Sano. Second baseman Jonathan Schoop walked to put two men on, and Reyes moved to third on a fly to deep right center by designated hitter Isaac Paredes. First baseman Jeimer Candelario then hit another deep fly. this time to right. Twins right fielder Marwin Gonzalez made the catch at the wall, but Reyes trotted home to put the Tigers up 9-2.

Game 2:

Tigers 6. Twins 3 (Tigers led 4-2 after six and a half)

The Twins crept closer with a run in the bottom of the seventh. Second baseman Luis Arraez led off with a double to left center. moved to third on a wild pitch by Tigers reliever Tyler Alexander, and scored on center fielder Jake Cave's grounder to first.

The Tigers put the game away with two runs in the bottom of the eighth. With one out, left fielder Jorge Bonifacio lined a base hit to right center. Right fielder Cameron Maybin followed with another single to right center, and catcher Grayson Greiner's fly ball to deep center moved Bonifacio to third. Twins reliever Sean Poppen threw a wild pitch to bring Bonifacio home and put the Tigers up 5-3, and Paredes, who was playing third base in this game, singled up the middle to score Maybin and make it 6-3.

Closer Joe Jimenez pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his sixth save of the year, which means that Gregory Soto's save has been disallowed. He now has one for the year.

S- Jimenez (6)
DS- Soto (1)

Our next stop is Minute Maid Park in Houston, where the Astros are entertaining the Athletics:

Game 1:

Astros 4, Athletics 3 (Astros led 4-2 after six and a half)

The A's closed to within a run in the top of the eighth when catcher Sean Murphy led off by lining the first pitch he saw into the Crawford Boxes in left field for his eighth home run of the season.

Reliever Blake Taylor pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his second save of the year. This means that Ryan Pressly's save has been disallowed; he now has ten for the year.

S- Taylor (2)
DS- Pressly (10)

HR- OAK: Murphy (8)

Game 2:

Astros 8, Athletics 3 (Astros led 6-3 after six and a half)

The Astros put the game out of reach with two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Designated hitter Michael Brantley led off with a single to right. First baseman Yuli Gurriel flew to shallow right for the first out, but left fielder Kyle Tucker doubled off the wall in center to score Brantley and give the Astros a 7-3 lead. Shortstop Carlos Correa flew to Oakland's Robbie Grossman in shallow left for the second out, but right fielder Josh Reddick hit a ball off of the safety fence surrounding the A's bullpen in right center for a ground-rule double. Tucker was awarded home plate, and the Astros led 8-3.

Ryan Pressly's save was disallowed. He now has nine for the season.

DS- Pressly (9)

Our third and final stop is Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, where the Reds are taking on the Cubs:

Game 1:

Cubs 3, Reds 0 (Cubs led 3-0 after seven)

There was no further scoring. Kyle Ryan retired the final six Reds hitters in a row to earn his third save.

Jeremy Jeffress' save has been disallowed. He now has seven for the season.

S- Ryan (3)
DS- Jeffress (7)

Game 2:

Reds 10, Cubs 6 (Reds led 7-6 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh)

Shortstop Jose Garcia finished his at-bat by lining a single to left. Aristedes Aquino scored to put the Reds up 8-6, and Eugenio Suarez moved to third. Center fielder Shogo Akiyama hit a wicked liner to short that bounced off of Nico Hoerner's glove, Suarez scored. and it was 9-6 Cincinnati.

In the bottom of the eighth, Nick Castellanos hit a leadoff home run to right field. It was his fifteenth of the year.

Rafael Iglesias pitched a perfect ninth to "re-earn" his tenth save of the season.

HR- CIN: Castellanos (15)
S- Iglesias (10)

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
Our next day with three doubleheaders is September 8. We open at Busch Stadium, where the Cardinals welcome the Twins:

Game 1:

Twins 8, Cardinals 4 (Twins led 7-3 after seven)

In the top of the eighth. Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson led off with a home run to deep center field to increase the Minnesota lead to 8-3. It was his seventh of the year.

In the bottom of the eighth, Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong led off with a home run to left center field that had to be upheld by replay. It was his fourth of the year.

HR- MIN: Donaldson (7)
STL: DeJong (4)

Game 2:

Twins 9, Cardinals 6 (Cardinals led 6-4 after six and a half)

The Twins scored four runs in the top of the eighth to take the lead. Right fielder Brent Rooker led off with a fly ball to center that bounced into and out of the glove of the Cardinals' Harrison Bader, allowing Rooker to reach. Shortstop Ehire Adrianza walked, but was forced by second baseman Marwin Gonzalez for the first out. Catcher Ryan Jeffers was next, and his single to right scored Rooker to bring the Twins to within 6-5. New Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley struck out center fielder Jake Cave swinging for out number two, but hung a curve to Donaldson on his first pitch, which was promptly socked into the right field bullpen for a three-run homer and an 8-6 Minnesota lead. It was Donaldson's eighth home run of the year and third of the doubleheader.

Miguel Sano added some insurance in the top of the ninth when he hit a solo homer over the left center field wall, his fourteenth of the year.

W- Tyler Clippard (3-1)
S- Taylor Rogers (9)
L- Ryan Helsley (1-2)

HR- MIN: Sano (14), Donaldson (8)

Original winning pitcher Genesis Cabrera's record remains at 4-2. Giovanny Gallegos' save has been disallowed; he now has three for the year. Original losing pitcher Randy Dobnak's record is now 6-3.

The Twins are now the number one seed in the American League by a game over the Rays and White Sox. Here are the new American League Central standings:

Twins: 37-23
White Sox: 36-24- 1 GB
Indians: 35-25- 2 GB
Royals: 27-33- 10 GB
Tigers: 23-35- 13 GB

In the National League, the Cardinals and Reds are in a virtual tie for third place in the Central, three games behind the Cubs. There's also a three-way tie among the Cardinals, Giants, and Reds for the final two playoff spots. Here are the standings in the Central:

Cubs: 33-27
(tie) Reds: 30-30- 3 GB
(tie) Cardinals: 29-29- 3 GB
Brewers: 28-32- 5 GB
Pirates: 22-38- 11 GB

A reminder that the Cardinals and Tigers are scheduled to play a doubleheader in Detroit on September 28 if it's needed to decide a playoff berth.

Now to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, where the Phillies are hosting the Red Sox:

Game 1:

I'm going the summary route with this one:

As we pick up the action, the Phillies are leading 6-5 in the bottom of the seventh with two out and third baseman Alec Bohm at first. Catcher Andrew Knapp doubled down the left field line to put runners at second and third, Left fielder Andrew McCutchen grounded a single to left that scored Bohm to make it 7-5, with Knapp going to third. First baseman Rhys Hopkins lined a double off the wall in center to score both Knapp and McCutchen, and the Phils led 9-5. Right fielder Bryce Harper struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox answered with five runs in the top of the eighth. First baseman Bobby Dalbec drew a leadoff walk. Second baseman Christian Arroyo followed with a two-run homer into the seats in right center, his fourth of the year, and the Philly lead was down to 9-7. Right fielder Alex Verdugo struck out swinging for out number one, but third baseman Rafael Devers hit the first pitch he saw over the wall in right center to bring the visitors within 9-8. It was his third homer of the game and twelfth of the year.

Shortstop Xander Bogaerts singled up the middle to keep the inning alive, and after designated hitter J.D, Martinez went down swinging for out number two, catcher Chrstian Vazquez hit the third Boston homer of the inning, all to right center field. It was the eighth homer of the year for Vazquez, and the Red Sox led 10-9,

The onslaught continued in the top of the ninth. Left fielder Michael Chavis led off with a towering home run into the left field upper deck. It was his sixth of the year and the eighth of the game for the Red Sox, which (if I'm not mistaken) is an MLB record regardless of universe. Dalbec walked, but was forced by Arroyo for the first out. Verdugo's fly to left dropped in for a double, which brought Arroyo home to make it 12-9. Devers' double into the left center power alley scored Verdugo with run number thirteen, and Bogaerts' base hit to left center brought Devers home and closed out the scoring. Our final: Red Sox 14, Phillies 9,

W- Robert Stock (1-1)
L- JoJo Romero (0-1)

HR- BOS: Devers (12). Vazquez (8), Chavis (6), Arroyo (4)

Original winning pitcher Hector Neris' record is now 1-2. Original losing pitcher Matt Barnes' record is now 1-2.

Game 2:

Red Sox 6, Phillies 3 (Red Sox led 5-2 after seven)

The Phils closed the gap with a run in the bottom of the eighth. Harper led off with a base hit to right center. After two out, Bohm's single to left center put runners at the corners. Left fielder Andrew Knapp was next, and his lined single to left scored Harper to cut the Boston lead to 5-3.

The Red Sox got the run back in the top of the ninth when Dalbec lined a home run over the fence in right center, It was his second homer of the game and ninth of the year, as well as the Bosox' tenth home run of the doubleheader.

Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record his tenth save of the season. This means that Marcus Walden's only save of the season so far has been disallowed.

HR- BOS: Dalbec (9)
S- Barnes (10)
DS- Walden

The Red Sox are now just three games out of the final American League playoff berth. The standings in the AL East:

Rays: 36-24
Yankees: 34-26- 2 GB
Blue Jays: 29-31- 7 GB
Orioles: 28-32- 8 GB
Red Sox- 26-34- 10 GB

In the National League East, the Philliies have slipped into a tie with the Nationals for second place, They're out of a playoff berth, since the Reds, Cardinals, and Giants are all at .500 and they're two games under, The standings in the East:

Braves: 35-25
(tie) Phillies:29-31- 6 GB
(tie) Nationals: 29-31- 6 GB
Mets: 28-32- 7 GB
Marlins: 26-34- 9 GB

Now to the Oakland Coliseum, where the A's are hosting the Astros.

Game 1:

Athletics 5, Astros 3 (A's led 4-2 after seven)

The A's added to their lead with a run in the top of the ninth. Second baseman Tony Kemp lined a base hit up the middle with two out, stole second, and scored on shortstop Marcus Semien's double into the left center power alley.

The Astros got that run back in the bottom of the ninth. Shortstop Carlos Correa was hit in the shin by a pitch from Oakland reliever Joakim Soria. Josh Reddick's single to right center put runners at the corners, and Correa came home when catcher Martin Maldonado bounced into a 4-6-3 double play. Second baseman Aledmys Diaz's single to right center kept the inning alive, but Soria got center fielder George Springer to fly to his counterpart Ramon Laureano to end the game and earn his third save of the year.

A's reliever Liam Hendriks' save has been disallowed. He now has thirteen for the season.

S- Soria (3)
DS-Hendriks (13)

Note: In this game, the Astros were considered the home team and batted in the bottom of every inning.

Game 2:

Astros 5, Athletics 4 (Astros led 5-4 after seven)

There was no further scoring. Astros reliever Andre Scrubb pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his second save of the season.

Astros closer Ryan Pressly's save has been disallowed. He now has eight for the season.

S- Scrubb (2)
DS- Pressly (8)

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
Our next day with three doubleheaders is September 18. First, we head to Citizens Bank Park, where the Phillies are hosting the Blue Jays:

Game 1:

Phillies 12, Blue Jays 3 (Phillies led 7-0 after seven)

The Phils added three more runs in the top of the eighth. With one out, right fielder Bryce Harper stroked a base hit to left center. Third baseman Alec Bohm followed with a single to left that put runners at the corners. and shortstop Didi Gregorius followed with another single to left that scored Harper and gave the Phils an 8-0 lead. First baseman Phil Gosselin was next. and he lined a double off the wall in left center. Bohm and Gregorius both scored. and the Phils led 10-0.

The Jays finally got on the board with three tallies in the bottom of the eighth. Second baseman Jonathan Villar led off with a base hit to left center, stole second, and scored on catcher Alejandro Kirk's single to left center. That ended the afternoon for Phils starter Zach Elfin; reliever Tommy Hunter faced Jays second baseman Cavan Biggio, who smacked the first pitch he saw over the left field wall for his ninth home run of the year to get the Jays back within 10-3.

The Phils added two runs in the top of the ninth. With two out, McCutchen ripped a double into the right center power alley. He moved to third when Harper beat out a grounder to second for an infield single, and both men scored on Bohm's double to left center to establish the final score.

HR- TOR: Biggio (9)

Note: In this game, the Blue Jays were considered the home team and batted in the bottom of every inning.

Game 2:

Phillies 8, Blue Jays 7 (Phillies led 8-7 after six and a half)

There was no further scoring. The Jays loaded the bases in the top of the ninth on a single and two walks, but Hunter struck out left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to end the game and earn his second save of the season.

Phillies reliever Hector Neris' save has been disallowed. He now has four for the year.

S- Hunter (2)
DS- Neris (4)

Our second stop is PNC Park, where the Pirates are entertaining the Cardinals.

Game 1:

Cardinals 8, Pirates 5 (Cardinals led 6-5 after seven)

The Cardinals added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the ninth. Second baseman Kolten Wong led off with a single to left. Third baseman Tommy Edman followed with a double off the wall in right to score Wong and make it 7-5 St. Louis. After first baseman Paul Goldschmidt's foul pop was caught by Adam Frazier in shallow left for the first out, shortstop Paul DeJong's base hit to left center scored Edman to put the Cards up 8-5.

Cardinals reliever Tyler Webb pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his second save of the season, which means that Ryan Helsley's save has been disallowed.

S- Webb (2)
DS- Helsley (1)

Game 2:

Cardinals 8, Pirates 2 (Cardinals led 7-2 after seven)

Cardinals first baseman Matt Carpenter hit a home run over the Clemente Wall in right field with two out in the bottom of the eighth. It was his fifth of the year.

HR- STL: Carpenter (5)

Note: In this game, the Cardinals were considered the home team and batted in the bottom of every inning,

Our final stop is Marlins Park, where the Marlins are taking on the Nationals:

Game 1:

Nationals 5. Marlins 0 (Nationals led 5-0 after seven)

There was no further scoring. Five Washington pitchers combined on a four-hit shutout.

Game 2:

Marlins 15, Nationals 6 (Marlins led 14-3 after six and a half)

The Marlins added a run in the bottom of the seventh when first baseman Garrett Cooper hit a leadoff home run over the right field wall, his seventh of the year.

The Nats scored three times in the top of the eighth. Left fielder Juan Soto was hit on the elbow by a pitch from Marlins reliever James Hoyt. After designated hitter Asdrubal Cabrera struck out swinging, catcher Kurt Suzuki walked to put two men on. Second baseman Josh Harrison slapped a base hit to right center to score Soto and make it 15-4. Third baseman Carter Kieboom went down swinging for the second out. but first baseman Jake Noll singles to right to score Suzuki and bring the Nats within 15-5, and right fielder Michael A. Taylor whacked a double into the left center power alley to score Harrison and close the gap to 15-6.

HR- MIA: Cooper (9)

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
Here's a two and a half doubleheader day: September 14. We open with the half, as the Cardinals take on the Brewers at Miller Park. Game 2 went the regulation nine innings, with the Cards prevailing 6-5. Here's Game 1:

As we pick up the action, the Brewers have just taken a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth and have a runner at first with two out.

After Arcia flew to left center to end the bottom of the eighth. the Cardinals began the top of the ninth with Paul Goldschmidt as the courtesy runner at second. He moved to third on a single to right center by shortstop Paul De Jong and scored on catcher Matt Wieters' single up the middle. DeJong moved to third when right fielder Lane Thomas grounded into a double play, and left fielder Tyler O'Neil walked to put runners at the corners. But center fielder Harrison Bader took a called third strike to end the inning.

Arcia was the courtesy runner for the Brewers in the bottom of the ninth, and he made it to third on left fielder Tyrone Taylor's grounder to second, but was stranded when center fielder Avisail Garcia grounded to short and designated hitter Christian Yelich struck out swinging.

Goldschmidt was the courtesy runner in the top of the tenth, but never moved.

Yelich was the courtesy runner in the bottom of the tenth, and he moved to third on right fielder Ryan Braun's fly to center. But first baseman Jace Peterson struck out swinging, and second baseman Keston Hura flew to left.

Wieters was the courtesy runner in the top of the eleventh, but never moved.

Hiura was the courtesy runner in the bottom of the eleventh. He moved to third on Arcia's grounder to short. Third baseman Luis Urias followed with another grounder to short, but DeJong dropped the ball, allowing Hiura to score the winning run. Our final in eleven: Brewers 3. Cardinals 2.

W- Bobby Wahl (1-1)
L- Rob Kaminsky (0-1)

Original winning pitcher Freddy Peralta's record is now 2-1, Original losing pitcher Ryan Helsley's record is now 1-1.

Our second stop is Great American Ball Park, where the Reds are hosting the Pirates, As we pick up the action in Game 1, the Reds are leading 3-1 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh after a pinch-hit home run by Tyler Stephenson:

Joey Votto popped out to Colin Moran at first to end the bottom of the seventh.

The Bucs scored in the top of the ninth when center fielder Bryan Reynolds belted a leadoff triple into the left field corner and scored on second baseman Kevin Newman's grounder to second. Right fielder Gregory Polanco's fly to center was caught at the wall by the Reds' Nick Senzel, and catcher John Ryan Murphy struck out swinging to end the game. Reliever Lucas Sims picked up his first save of the season,

S- CIN: Sims (1)

Game 2:

Reds 9, Pirates 5 (Reds led 9-4 after six and a half)

The Bucs scored a run in the top of the eighth. Reynolds lined a leadoff single up the middle and moved to third on Polanco's single to right. After Newman struck out swinging for out number one, catcher Jacob Stallings hit a fly ball down the line in left. Left fielder Shogo Akiyama made the catch, but he got off a terrible throw to the plate. Shortstop Kyle Farmer cut the ball off and made a much stronger throw home, but Reynolds beat it easily.

Our third and final stop is T-Moblie Park in Seattle, where the Mariners are hosting the A's:

Game 1:

Mariners 6, Athletics 5 (Mariners led 6-5 after seven)

There was no further scoring. Mariners reliever Taylor Williams pitched the final two innings to earn his seventh save of the season, and he accomplished the feat in just thirteen pitches.

Mariners reliever Yoshihisa HIrano's save has been disallowed. He now has three for the season.

S- Taylor Williams (7)
DS- Hirano (3)

Game 2:

Athletics 9, Mariners 0 (A's led 9-0 after seven)

There was no further scoring. Oakland pitchers Mike Minor and Lou Trivino combined on a five-hit shutout.

There was no movement in the standings.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
Our final day with three doubleheaders is September 25. Our first stop is a place we haven't been before: Chase Field in Phoenix. where the Diamondbacks are hosting the Rockies:

Game 1;

Diamondbacks 4, Rockies 0 (D-Backs led 4-0 after six and a half)

There was no further scoring. Five Arizona pitchers combined on an eight-hit shutout, with Travis Bergen picking up his second save of the season.

D-Backs reliever Stefan Crichton's save has been disallowed; he now has four for the season.

S- Bergen (2)
DS- Crichton (4)

Game 2:

Diamondbacks 13. Rockies 5 (D-Backs led 11-5 after six and a half)

The D-Backs added two more runs in the bottom of the seventh. First baseman Pavin Smith led off with a single to right. Shortstop Nick Ahmed hit a groundball to his
counterpart Garrett Hampson,, who muffed it, allowing Ahmed to reach. Catcher Stephen Vogt walked to load the bases. After third baseman Wyatt Mathiesen took a called third strike for the first out. right fielder Jon Jay hit a fly ball to center that dropped in for a base hit. Smith and Ahmed scored, and the Snakes led 13-5.

Our next stop is Busch Stadium, where the Cardinals are hosting the Brewers.

Game 1:

Brewers 3, Cardinals 2 (Brewers led 3-0 after seven)

The Cardinals made it a close one with two runs in the bottom of the eighth. With one out, third baseman Brad Miller was hit in the thigh by a pitch. After center fielder Harrison Bader flew to shallow right center for the first out. shortstop Kolten Wong singled to left center to put runners at the corners. He stole second a pitch later, and left fielder Tommy Edman brought both him and Miller home with a triple into the left center power alley.

Brewers reliever Corey Knebel pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his first save of the year. That means that Josh Hader's save has been disallowed; he now has twelve for the season,

S- Knebel (1)
DS- Hader (12)

Game 2:

Cardinals 10, Brewers 1 (Cardinals led 9-1 after seven)

The Cardinals added a run in the top of the eighth. Wong walked with one out, stole second, and scored on Edman's single to right center,

Note: The Brewers were considered the home team in this game and batted in the bottom of every inning.

Our final stop is Oracle Park in San Francisco, where the Giants are hosting the Padres:

Game 1:

Giants 5, Padres 4 (Giants led 5-4 after six and a half)

There was no further scoring. Giants right fielder Steven Duggar scaled the right field wall to take away a two-out, two-run homer from Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer in the top of the ninth. Closer Trevor Gott earned his fifth save of the season.

S- Gott (5)

Game 2:

I'm going to summarize this one just in case. As we pick up the action, Padres center fielder Trent Grisham has just hit a three-run homer to give the Padres a 6-5 lead with one out in the bottom of the seventh:

Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. grounded to short for the second out, and second baseman Jake Cronenworth's tapper to first ended the bottom of the seventh.

In the top of the eighth, Duggar walked with one out, but designated hitter Wilmer Flores' fly down the line in right was caught by Duggar, and third baseman
Evan Longoria popped to short to end the inning.

In the bottom of the eighth, designated hitter Jorge Mateo and right fielder Jurickson Profar each struck out swinging, and first baseman Mitch Moreland's liner to short was gloved by Brandon Crawford to end the inning.

The Giants tied the game in the top of the ninth. Crawford led off with a base hit to left center and moved to third on center fielder Mauricio Dubon's single to right center. Catcher Joey Bart struck out swinging for the first out, but left fielder Daniel Robertson's bouncer to short brought Crawford home with the tying run. First baseman Daniel Ruf took a called third strike to end the inning.

In the bottom of the ninth, left fielder Tommy Pham grounded to third. catcher Jason Castro tapped to first, and third baseman Greg Garcia flew to Dubon in shallow right center.

In the top of the tenth. Ruf was the courtesy runner for the Giants. He scored on second baseman Donovan Solano's double off the wall in center to give the Giants a 7-6 lead. Duggar, Flores, and Longoria all struck out swinging.

Garcia was the courtesy runner for the Padres in the bottom of the tenth. Grisham took a called third strike, and Tatis struck out swinging, Cronenworth kept the game alive with a single to right, then stole second. Mateo's single to right put runners at the corners, but Profar flew to Robertson in shallow left to end the game. Our final in ten: Giants 7, Padres 6.

W- Conner Menez (2-0)
S- Trevor Gott (7)
L- David Bednar (0-1)

Original winning pitcher Luis Patino now has no record. Original losing pitcher Sam Coonrod is now 0-1.

Author's note: My summaries aren't usually that long. but I had to work out each half-inning batter by batter to account for both the designated hitters and the courtesy runners.

Here are the updated standings in the National League West:

Dodgers: 43-17
Padres: 37-23- 6 GB
Giants: 31-29- 12 GB
Diamondbacks: 27-33- 16 GB
Rockies: 23-37- 20 GB

Here are the seeds in the National League to the moment:

1,Dodgers
2. Braves
3. Cubs
4. Padres
5. Cardinals (hold season series tiebreaker over Reds)
6, Phillies (hold season series tiebreaker over Nationals)
7. Giants
8. Reds

Here are the seeds in the American League:

1. Twins
2, Rays
3. Athletics
4. White Sox
5. Yankees
6. Astros
7. Indians
8. Blue Jays

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
Now it's time to examine the rest of the days with two doubleheaders. Let's begin with September 5. Our first stop is Angel Stadium of Anaheim, where the Angels are hosting the Astros:

Game 1:

Angels 12, Astros 9 (Angels led 10-9 with one out in the bottom of the seventh)

Catcher Anthony Bemboom followed right fielder Jo Adell's two-run single with a two-run homer over the right field fence, his fourth of the year. Reliever Ty Buttrey worked a scoreless ninth to earn his sixth save of the year.

HR- Benboom (4)
S- Buttrey (6)

Game 2:

Angels 8, Astros 6 (Angels led 7-6 after seven)

The Angels added a run in the top of the ninth. Second baseman Luis Rengifo lined a leadoff single to left, stole second, and scored on left fielder Justin Upton's double into the right center power alley.

Angels reliever Mike Mayers worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn his third save of the year. This means that Buttrey's save has been disallowed. He still has six for the season.

Note: In this game, the Astros were considered the home team and batted in the bottom of each inning.

S- Mayers (2)
DS-Buttrey (6)

Our other stop is Wrigley Field, where the Cubs are hosting the Cardinals:

Game 1:

Cardinals 5, Cubs 2 (Cardinals led 4-2 after seven)

The Cardinals added a run in the top of the eighth. Center fielder Harrison Bader was hit in the thigh by a pitch. After left fielder Dylan Carlson struck out swinging, Bader was forced by right fielder Lane Thomas, who moved to third on second baseman Kolten Wong's single to right center and scored on third baseman Tommy Edman's single to left,

Cardinals reliever Genesis Cabrera pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his second save of the year. That means that Giovanny Gallegos' save has been disallowed. He now has three for the season.

S- Cabrera (2)
DS- Gallegos (3)

Game 2:

Cardinals 7, Cubs 2 (Cardinals led 5-1 after six and a half)

The Cubs plated a run in the top of the eighth when right fielder Jason Heyward hit a home run down the right field line and into the first row of bleachers. It was his seventh home run of the year.

The Cards answered with two runs in the bottom of the eighth. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt drew a leadoff walk. After shortstop Paul DeJong popped to counterpart Javy Baez for out number one, Thomas linedg a triple into the right field corner to score Goldschmidt and put the Cards up 6-2. He would come home on left fielder Tyler O'Neil's fly to the warning track in center to make it 7-2.

HR- CHC: Heyward (7)

Note: In this game, the Cardinals were considered the home team and batted in the bottom of each inning,

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
Top