Virtual Pirates edge Cubs, get to .500; claim Diaz




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 are coming home with a .500 record after splitting six games on its season-opening road trip.


Chris Archer pitched five solid innings and Gregory Polanco hit a go-ahead two-run home run to lead the Pirates to a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday afternoon at Virtual Wrigley Field.

The Virtual Buccos avoided being swept in the three-game series and evened their record at 3-3.

The Pirates also announced following the game that they have claimed catcher Elias Diaz off waivers from the Colorado Rockies. A corresponding move will be made Thursday to open a roster spot.

The Pirates did not tender Diaz a contract last winter and he signed with the Rockies as a free agent. In his dual role as general manager/manager, John Perrotto has decided to bring Diaz back.

Archer (2-0) allowed two runs and scattered seven hits while keeping his record perfect. He struck six and walked two but needed 118 pitches to get 15 outs.

Polanco’s homer in the third inning off Yu Darvish (1-1) broke a 1-1 tie and put the Pirates ahead for good. It was his second homer of the season.

Bryan Reynolds went deep for the first time with a solo blast off Darvish in the fifth that pushed the lead to 4-1.

The Cubs scored single runs in the fifth and sixth to make it a one-run game. However, Michael Feliz pitched two scoreless innings and Keone Kela closed it out for his second save in three opportunities.

Kela worked around trouble in the ninth, though, as the Cubs loaded the bases with one out. The closer was able to extricate himself from the jam by striking out Kyle Schwarber and getting Willson Contreras to pop out.

Rizzo had a home run among his three hits and Niko Hoerner also went deep for the Cubs.

It was a cold day in Wrigleyville with a game-time temperature of 35 degrees and an 11-mph blowing from left to right. Pirates bench coach Craig Wilson proved to be a popular draw as the attendance was 40,895 for a midweek afternoon game.

The Pirates will play their home opener Thursday afternoon at Virtual PNC Park against the Cincinnati Reds.

Joe Musgrove (0-1, 15.00) is slated to start for the Pirates against the smartest man in baseball, Trevor Bauer (1-0, 0.00).

Should be a good ballgame.

Comments

  1. Chris KucharskiApril 1, 2020 at 5:19 PM

    Really enjoying this John. Will you be able to post stats and standings every once in awhile?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John PerrottoApril 3, 2020 at 12:23 PM

      Thanks Chris! The guy running the league is working on a way that I can link to the standings and stats page. Until then, I am going to try to post the standings and stats ever so often.

      Delete

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