Frazier's four hits lead Virtual Pirates over Nats




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.

WASHINGTON – The Virtual Pirates did not back down against the real defending World Series champions.

Adam Frazier reached base five times and the Virtual Buccos scored seven runs in the third inning on their way to a 10-5 victory over the Virtual Washington Nationals on Monday night at Virtual Nationals Park.

Frazier had four hits and a walk as the Pirates opened the four-game series with a win and improved to 42-35. They trail the Virtual Milwaukee Brewers by two games in the National League Central.

Elias Diaz drove in the first run in the big third inning with a single, snapping a 2-2 tie. Kevin Newman and Ke’Bryan Hayes each hit two-run doubles later in the inning as the Pirates moved in front 9-2 while chasing Patrick Corbin (3-7).

Diaz had three hits and two RBIs and Jose Osuna also had three hits, including his seventh home run.

The Pirates had 16 hits. Guillermo Heredia and Steven Brault had two each. Brault’s RBI single in the second drew the Pirates into a 2-2 tie.

Brault (3-3) gave up three runs and five hits in five innings for the win. He walked five and struck out two in a 100-pitch outing.

It was 77 degrees at first pitch with the wind blowing in from left field at 10 mph. Time of game was three hours, 42 minutes and attendance was 40,962.

Bench coach Craig Wilson said he was mildly disappointed that no politicians decided to host the Virtual Corsairs during the first day of their lone trip to the nation’s capital.

“We’re the team of the people, regardless of party affiliation,” Wilson said.

On Sunday, the Pirates lost 8-3 to the Virtual Toronto Blue Jays at Virtual PNC Park but still took two of three games in the series.

The Blue Jays’ Joe Panik broke a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning with a grand slam off Kyle Crick (1-1).

Mitch Keller allowed only one hit in 5 1/3 innings but was charged with two runs and walked five while throwing 100 pitches. He also had eight strikeouts.

Tyler Webb retired the only batter he faced in his Virtual Pirates’ debut. The left-hander was claimed off waivers from the Virtual St. Louis Cardinals and Derek Holland was designated for assignment.

Hayes hit his first virtual major league home run in the seventh inning off fellow rookie Nate Pearson. Gregory Polanco also went deep, and Bryan Reynolds had two hits.

Sam Gaviglio (6-1) got the win in relief and Cavan Biggio homered for the Blue Jays.

The crowd was 36,870 and time of game was three hours, 39 minutes. It was 70 degrees at game time with the wind blowing in from left field at eight mph.

The Pirates and Nationals play against Tuesday night with Joe Musgrove (9-3, 2.91) going for his 10th win as he faces Max Scherzer (11-2, 3.52). Musgrove has pitched shutouts in each of his last two starts.

STANDINGS
AL EAST: Yankees 46-33, Rays 43-36, Blue Jays 37-42, Red Sox 35-44, Orioles 19-60
AL CENTRAL: Indians 51-28, White Sox 49-29, Twins 45-35, Royals 35-45, Tigers 28-50
AL WEST: Astros 47-30, Angels 46-31, Athletics 43-35, Mariners 34-46, Rangers 33-47
NL EAST: Braves 50-28, Nationals 47-31, Phillies 46-31, Mets 33-45, Marlins 29-49
NL CENTRAL: Brewers 44-33, Pirates 42-35, Cubs 40-38, Reds 35-43, Cardinals 31-47
NL WEST: Dodgers 49-30, Padres 41-37, Diamondbacks 38-41, Rockies 30-47, Giants 29-49

STATISTICS
BATTING
Bell .239-18-49
Diaz .302-2-15
Duvall .200-3-12
Dyson .302-2-24
Frazier .273-5-34
Gonzalez .302-1-12
Hayes .182-1-20
Heredia .262-2-12
*Moran .320-1-10
Newman .266-2-26
Osuna .276-7-23
Polanco .260-14-57
Reynolds .309-5-28
Stallings .288-3-18

PITCHING
Archer 7-1, 2.94
Brault 3-3, 5.82
Burdi 2-3, 2.01, 5 Sv
Crick 1-1, 3.52, 5 Sv
Feliz 0-2, 3.07, 2 Sv
Holmes 2-0, 3.52
*Kela 2-2, 4.05, 6 Sv
Keller 5-3, 2.76
Kuhl 0-2, 2.45
Musgrove 9-3, 2.91
Rodriguez 3-1, 4.82, 1 Sv
Stratton 1-3, 5.53
Webb 2-0, 1.65
Williams 6-4, 4.85
*Injured List

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