Bell, Polanco lead Virtual Pirates in slugfest win


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.


NEW YORK – It was a long and damp Sunday at Virtual Citi Field but, in the end, it turned out well for the Virtual Pittsburgh Pirates.

Josh Bell’s two-run home run helped lead the Virtual Buccos to an 11-9 victory over the Virtual New York Mets in a slugfest. Gregory Polanco also connected for the Pirates.

The Pirates have taken two of three in the four-game series. The win got them within a game of .500 at 22-23.

Bell’s 16th home run of the season came in the fifth inning came off Sam Tuivailala and put the Pirates ahead 11-4. The Virtual Corsairs needed the cushion as the Mets drew within two runs in the eighth inning.

However, Nick Burdi struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his first save.

Ke’Bryan Hayes ended a 0-for-25 skid to begin his career with a pair of hits. Polanco and Erik Gonzalez also had two hits each while Bell, Polanco, Hayes and Bryan Reynolds drove in two runs apiece.

Chris Archer lasted just two innings in his shortest start of the season. He allowed four runs and four hits with three walks and no strikeouts.

Clay Holmes (1-0) followed Archer and got credit for the win as he gave up one run in two innings.

Hayes’ RBI single off Jose Urena (1-2) capped a two-run first for the Pirates. The Mets countered with three runs in the bottom of the inning, two scoring on Pete Alonso’s home run.

The Pirates took the lead for good at 6-4 with a four-run fourth inning. Polanco hit a two-run shot, his eighth, and Gonzalez, filling in for slumping Kevin Newman, doubled home the go-ahead run.

It took four hours, 29 minutes to play the game. Additionally, there was a 24-minute rain delay in the sixth inning.

Game-time temperature was 57 degrees and attendance was 20,555. A total of 20 runs were scored despite a 13-mph wind blowing in from left field.

The four-game wraparound series concludes Monday night with Mitch Keller (2-3, 3.49) pitching for the Pirates against Jacob deGrom (4-3, 3.45).

 With a rare free Sunday night in New York, bench coach Craig Wilson and the manager decided to hit a salad bar for dinner. It was attempt to balance the steak dinner the duo devoured on Thursday's off night.

STANDINGS
NL EAST: Braves 34-13, Nationals 27-18, Phillies 23-22, Mets 18-26, Marlins 18-29
NL CENTRAL: Brewers 28-20, Cubs 24-24, Reds 23-24, Pirates 22-23, Cardinals 17-30
NL WEST: Dodgers 31-14, Padres 25-21, Diamondbacks 22-25, Rockies 19-26, Giants 14-33
AL EAST: Yankees 30-17, Rays 27-22, Blue Jays 20-27, Red Sox 20-28, Orioles 13-33
AL CENTRAL: Indians 33-16, White Sox 29-17, Twins 25-22, Royals 19-27, Tigers 15-33
AL WEST: Athletics 30-18, Astros 27-20, Angels 24-20, Mariners 22-27, Rangers 21-26

PIRATES STATISTICS
BATTING
Bell .232-16-38
Diaz .317-1-5
Duvall .200-0-1
Dyson .306-1-11, 7 SB
Frazier .251-4-20
Gonzalez .329-1-5
Hayes .067-0-2
Heredia .266-2-6
*Moran .320-1-8
Newman .261-2-16, 6 SB
Osuna .256-6-21
Polanco .202-8-34
Reynolds .294-4-17
Stallings .269-2-8
PITCHING
Archer 3-1, 3.38
Brault 1-1, 4.09
Burdi 2-1, 1.13, 1 Sv
Crick 1-0, 2.70, 1 Sv
Feliz 0-1, 3.32
Holland 1-2, 5.40
Holmes 1-0, 2.08
*Kela 2-2, 4.05, 6 Sv
Keller 2-3, 3.49
Musgrove 4-3, 4.73
Rodriguez 1-0, 2.87, 1 Sv
Santana 0-1, 5.79
Stratton 0-1, 3.34
Williams 4-3, 4.62
*Injured List

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