Banged-up Virtual Pirates edged by D-Backs

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.

PHOENIX – The air came out of the Virtual Pirates’ balloon Tuesday night.

The Pirates dropped a wild 9-8 decision to the Virtual Arizona Diamondbacks in the opener of a three-game series at Virtual Chase Field.

Compounding matters, Bryan Reynolds and Elias Diaz were both injured while running the bases and were forced to leave the game.

Adding even more insult to injury, former longtime real-life Pirate Starling Marte had a big hit to help rally the Diamondbacks to victory.

The Virtual Buccos’ three-game losing streak ended and they fell back below .500 at 8-9.

Reynolds exited with tendinitis in his knee and Diaz was diagnosed with a bruised heel. Both are likely headed to the injured list.

The game was decided in an eventful seventh inning. The Pirates scored three runs in the top half to break a 5-5 tie, but the Diamondbacks answered with four in the bottom half to go in front 9-8.

Blake Weiman (0-1), who was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday when left-hander Steven Brault went back on the IL with a strained shoulder, took the loss.

With two out and none on in the seventh, the Diamondbacks’ Yasmany Tomas and Christian Walker drew back-to-back walks off Michael Feliz. Weiman relieved and walked Stephen Vogt to load the bases.

Pinch-hitter Tim Locastro hit an RBI single to cut the Pirates’ lead to 8-6. Marte followed by lining a tying two-run single off Kevin Newman’s glove.

Brad Brach relieved and Ketel Marte greeted him by lining an RBI single to left field that put the Diamondbacks ahead.

The Pirates had originally planned to call Edgar Santana up from Indianapolis but opted instead for Weiman. With left-hander Derek Holland moving back into the rotation following Brault’s injury, Weiman represents the Virtual Corsairs’ only lefty reliever.

Holland was raked for five runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings with two strikeouts, one and two home runs allowed. He needed 93 pitches to get 14 outs.

Gregory Polanco hit a two-run home run, his fourth, off Kevin Ginkel in the top of the seventh to put the Pirates ahead 8-5.

Adam Frazier’s two-run double keyed a five-run fourth inning against Zac Gallen as the Pirates took a 5-2 lead.

The Diamondbacks scored three runs off Holland in the bottom of the fourth to knot the score at 5-5. Tomas’ two-run homer highlighted the inning.

Frazier had three of the Pirates’ 13 hits and drove in two runs. Polanco and Colin Moran had two hits and two RBIs each and Diaz and Newman also had two hits apiece.

The Diamondbacks’ Kole Calhoun had three hits and three RBIs, including a two-run home run in the first inning that opened the scoring.

Jimmy Sherfy (2-0) retired just one of the three batters he faced but was credited with the win for getting the last out in the top of the seventh. Archie Bradley pitched a scoreless ninth for his fifth save, working around Polanco's one-out single.

Like Holland, Gallen was charged with five runs in 4 2/3 innings.

The loss came after bench coach Craig Wilson treated the team to hot air balloon rides during Monday’s off day in the desert.

The roof was closed and a crowd of just 12,031 attended despite the presence of Wilson in the Pirates’ dugout. Time of game was three hours, 54 minutes.

The series continues Wednesday night with Mitch Keller (1-1, 3.77) starting for the Pirates against Luke Weaver (0-3, 13.50).

Should be a good ballgame.