Gonzalez, Virtual Pirates walk off Dodgers


I will be serving as general manager/manager 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 – The Virtual Pirates might not have many wins during the 2020 virtual season better than this one.

Erik Gonzalez’s three-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Pirates to a 6-3 victory over the Virtual Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday at Virtual PNC Park.

The Pirates won for just the second time in six games while improving to 12-15.

The Virtual Buccos pulled out the win after Keone Kela failed to hold a 3-1 lead in the ninth inning, giving up Joc Pederson’s two-run home run. It was Kela’s third blown save in nine opportunities.

However, the Pirates bounced back in the bottom of the ninth.

Jarrod Dyson drew a leadoff walk from Brusdar Graterol (1-1) and Jason Martin singled before Gonzalez lined his game-winner down the left-field line. It was Gonzalez’s first home run of the season.

Derek Holland allowed only one run in eight innings but wound up not factoring in the decision. He struck out four, walked two and threw 113 pitches.

Nick Burdi (1-0) got the win. Burdi relieved Kela after Pederson’s homer and retired all three batters he faced.

Gregory Polanco put the Pirates ahead 3-1 in the sixth inning with a three-run homer off Walker Buehler. Polanco has five homers this season.

Gonzalez also doubled as he finished with two hits and three RBIs.

Pederson went 4 for 4.

It was a cool afternoon in the Steel City. The temperature was just 48 degrees at first pitch and the wind was blowing from right to left at 11 mph.

The fans continued to go wild over Pirates bench coach Craig Wilson as attendance was 33,267. Despite his beloved Los Angeles Chargers being involved in the NFL Draft, Wilson was able to keep the focus on baseball throughout the three-hour, three-minute game.

The three-game series wraps up Sunday with Mitch Keller (1-3, 3.42) facing left-hander David Price (3-1, 2.94).

Should be a good ballgame.

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