Reynolds sparks Virtual Pirates in return


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.
ST. LOUIS – Bryan Reynolds came off the injured list and made a quick impact for the Virtual Pirates.

Reynolds’ two-run double keyed a five-run fifth inning as the Virtual Buccos built a 6-0 lead on the way to a 7-2 victory over the Virtual St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night at Virtual Busch Stadium in the opener of a three-game series.

The Pirates are again within a game of .500 at 28-29. The Virtual Corsairs have lost each of their last seven games when they have had an opportunity to get to breakeven.

Reynolds was activated from the injured list prior to the game and Cole Tucker was optioned to Virtual Triple-A Indianapolis. Reynolds had been out since May 19 with a calf injury.

Steven Brault (2-2) worked into the seventh inning for the win. He allowed two runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings while striking out five and walking two during a 100-pitch outing.

After Reynolds put the Pirates ahead 3-0 in the fifth with his double off Dakota Hudson (5-4), Adam Frazier followed with an RBI single. Gregory Polanco capped the big inning with his own two-run double.

Polanco and Jacob Stallings each had two hits. Chris Stratton and Chad Kuhl pitched a combined 2 2/3 scoreless relief innings while following Brault to finish the six-hitter.

It was 77 degrees at the start of the game with the wind blowing in from right field at 11 mph. Attendance was 36,258 and time of game was three hours, 10 minutes.

The Pirates will again try to get to .500 on Saturday when Joe Musgrove (5-3, 3.78) faces Brad Keller (0-5, 5.97).

Bench coach Craig Wilson again demurred when asked to give a get-to-.500 pep talk.

“The players know what it means,” he said. “They don’t need to be told.”

However, Wilson did suggest that perhaps the Pirates should acquire some help either via trade or free agency to bolster the roster.



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