Holland rocked by Cubs in Virtual Pirates' debut




I will be serving as general manager/manage of the Pirates in a 2020 season simulation along with 29 others using Out Of The Park Baseball. Feel free to check here for daily updates. I realize baseball is a lot less important than what is going on in the world today but perhaps it can provide a diversion for a few moments.

CHICAGO – Derek Holland’s virtual debut with the virtual Pirates wasn’t very good.

The veteran left-hander was tagged for five runs in two-plus innings as the Chicago Cubs used two home runs and five RBIs from Kyle Schwarber to notch an 8-3 victory Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.

The Virtual Buccos have their first losing streak of the season, dropping the first two games of the three-game series to fall to 2-3.

Added to the 40-man roster before the game, Holland allowed just two hits. However, he was hurt by three walks and two home runs.

Schwarber hit a grand slam with none out in the first inning to give the Cubs a 4-0 lead.

Holland also gave up a solo shot to Tyler O’Neill in the third that made it 5-0. Chicago acquired O’Neill from the St. Louis Cardinals in a recent trade.

Josh Bell hit a two-run home run, his third of the young season, off Adbert Alzolay in the sixth inning to draw the Pirates within 6-3. However, it wasn’t enough to rally the Virtual Corsairs to victory.

Bell went 2 for 3 with three RBIs as he also added a sacrifice fly. In addition to the three homers, Bell is hitting .364 with nine RBIs through the first five games.

Bryan Reynolds also had two of the Pirates’ eight hits. Leadoff man Adam Frazier went 0 for 5 and stranded five runners.

Alzolay (1-0) struck out 13 Pirates as he came within an out of a complete game.

Schwarber hit his second home run in the fifth inning, a solo shot of Yacksel Rios. Mount Lebanon’s Ian Happ hit a solo blast for the Cubs off Nick Burdi in the eighth.

A series of roster moves were made prior to the game, necessitated by Monday afternoon’s 19-inning loss.

Dovydas Neverauskas, who is out of options, was designated for assignment to open a roster spot for Holland.

Meanwhile, Richard Rodriguez and Edgar Santana were optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis after pitching on three consecutive days. Geoff Hartlieb and Rios were recalled from Indy.

Rios allowed one run in three innings in relief of Holland.

Game time temperature was 41 degrees with the wind blowing in from right field at 11 mph. I am glad I took bench coach Craig Wilson’s sage advice and made sure I bundled up in the dugout.

Time of game was three hours and 20 minutes and the attendance was 40,779 tickets sold. However, there were many pockets of empty seats despite the presence of Wilson in the Windy City.

The series concludes Wednesday afternoon with Chris Archer (1-0, 1.23) facing Yu Darvish (1-0, 3.38).

Should be a good ballgame.

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