Benches clear as Virtual Pirates lose home opener




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.

PITTSBURGH – It was a disappointing virtual home opener for the Virtual Pirates. And a testy one.



Trevor Bauer and three relief pitchers combined on a five-hit shutout as the Cincinnati Reds blanked the Pirates 5-0 on Thursday afternoon at PNC Park.

Bauer was ejected in the top of the seventh inning when he charged the mound after being hit by a pitch from Joe Musgrove. The incident came immediately after Freddy Galvis hit a solo home run that put the Reds ahead 3-0.

 Musgrove was also tossed.

Bauer (2-0) allowed just two hits and struck out eight. Raisel Iglesias, Robert Stephenson and Pedro Strop finished with one inning apiece.

Musgrove (0-2) had a solid outing but took the loss. He worked 6 2/3 innings and gave up three runs and six hits with three strikeouts and no walks.

The bright spot for the Pirates, who fell to 3-4, was that Elias Diaz returned to the organization in style as he went 3 for 4 with a double.

Diaz joined the team a day after being claimed off waivers from the Colorado Rockies. Luke Maile was designated for assignment to clear a roster spot for Diaz.

The real Pirates declined to offer Diaz a contract over the winter and he became a free agent.

Musgrove fell behind quickly as Joey Votto led off the game with a home run as the first baseman time took advantage of the wind blowing out to right field at 10 mph.

Pirates hitters had 11 strikeouts. Bryan Reynolds punched out three times while going 0 for 4.

The loss created some negative reverberations beyond a likely suspension for Musgrove. Beer cannot be served at Virtual PNC Park this season because the Virtual Buccos lost the opener.

The Pirates also announced they have signed infielder Tim Beckham to a minor league contract and assigned him to extended spring training. Beckham must serve the remainder of his 32-game suspension for violation Major League Baseball’s performance-enhancing drug policy before he can join the active roster.

Following an off day on Friday, the three-game series resumes Saturday with rookie Mitch Keller (1-0, 0.00) pitching for the Pirates against Tyler Mahle (0-1, 11.12).


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