Virtual Pirates hold off Cards, reach .500


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 – The Virtual Pirates finally got back to .500 but it wasn’t easy.

Gregory Polanco went 4 for 4 with two doubles and the Pirates weathered a three-run rally in the ninth inning to edge the Virtual St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 on Saturday at Virtual Busch Stadium.

The Pirates are now 29-29 after winning the first two games of the three-game series. The Virtual Buccos had lost the last seven times in which they had a chance to reach .500.

 Bench coach Craig Wilson was so happy that he openly talked about the win being the beginning of a postseason push.

Harrison Bader hit a three-run home run off Kyle Crick with one out in the ninth inning to draw the Cardinals with a run. Dexter Fowler followed with a double, but Crick struck out Paul Goldschmidt looking on a full-count pitch to end the game and notch his third save.

Adam Frazier’s two-run double keyed a three-run third inning against Brad Keller (0-6) that put the Virtual Corsairs ahead for good at 3-1.

Frazier and Bryan Reynolds each had two hits.

Joe Musgrove (6-3) pitched 5 2/3 innings for the win. He gave up one run and five hits while striking eight, walking three and throwing 106 pitches.

The lone run off Musgrove came on Goldschmidt’s solo home run in the first inning.

Tommy Edman and Victor Caratini had three hits apiece for the Cardinals. Keller allowed five runs in six innings.

It was 70 degrees at game time with the wind blowing in at 10 mph from right field. Attendance was 38,510 and time of game was three hours, 22 minutes.

The Pirates will go for the sweep Sunday as Trevor Williams (4-4, 5.79) opposes Jack Flaherty (2-7, 4.67).

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