Virtual Pirates blow two late leads, fall to Cubs in 19 innings




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 -- The Virtual Pirates played for six hours, 51 minutes on a chilly Monday afternoon at Virtual Wrigley Field but came up short in the end.

 David Bote’s RBI single with one out in the 19th inning off Edgar Santana lifted the Chicago Cubs to a 7-6 victory over the Pirates. Bote’s solo home run with two outs in the 17th inning had kept the Cubs’ hopes alive.

 The loss dropped the Virtual Buccos to 2-2.

 Anthony Rizzo led off with the winning rally with a single and Kris Bryant drew a one-out walk. Bote then grounded his game-winning hit into center field and Rizzo beat Guillero Heredia’s throw home.

 It was a rough day for Heredia as he also went 0 for 9.

 Bote spoiled a big day by Gregory Polanco, who went 4 for 7 with two doubles, the homer, two walks and a stolen base.

 Polanco’s solo home run, his first of the year, off Brad Wieck in the top of the ninth inning put the Pirates ahead 5-3. However, Javier Baez blasted a two-run shot off Keone Kela with one out in the bottom of the inning to force extra innings.

 An RBI double by Jarrod Dyson in the top of the 17th inning put the Pirates back on top 6-5. The Cubs, though, again came back to tie in the bottom half on Bote’s blast off Richard Rodriguez.

 Jacob Stallings hit a solo shot, his first, for the Pirates in the second inning to begin a four-hit day. Erik Gonzalez added three hits.

 The Pirates had 19 hits but stranded 18 runners.

 Pirates starter Trevor Williams went 5 2/3 innings and gave up three runs on seven hits. He struck out five and walked three.

 Santana (0-1), the Pirates’ 10th pitcher, took the loss.

 Chris Stratton provided four innings of scoreless relief and Michael “Big Mike” Feliz worked two perfect innings.

 Game time temperature was 45 degrees with the wind blowing in from right field at 9 mph. Attendance for the Cubs’ memorable home opener was 40,743.

 It was difficult to determine how much of the crowd was there for opening day festivities and how many fans bundled up just to see Pirates bench Craig Wilson. 

 The teams are off Tuesday before resuming their three-game series Wednesday night. Left-hander Derek Holland will be added to the Pirates’ 40-man roster and start against Adbert Alzolay.


 Should be a good ballgame.

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