Keller, Stallings keep Virtual Pirates surging



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.

SAN FRANCISCO – The Virtual Pirates have an emerging candidate for National League Rookie of the Year, and it is Mitch Keller.

Keller pitched six strong innings and the surging Virtual Buccos beat the Virtual San Francisco Giants 7-4 on Tuesday night at Virtual Oracle Park.

Keller (5-3) allowed two runs (one earned) and three hits while lowering his ERA to 2.62. He had five strikeouts and two walks in a 102-pitch outing.

The Pirates won for the ninth time in their last 10 games by taking the opener of a three-game series and six-game road trip. They moved a season-high six games over .500 at 36-30.

Jacob Stallings had two hits and four RBIs, including a three-run double in the third inning off Jeff Samardzija (2-7) that opened the scoring. Josh Bell also had two hits and Gregory Polanco drew three walks and scored two runs.

The Pirates built a 7-0 lead after 3 ½ innings but had to hang on for their fourth straight victory.

The Giants scored twice in the ninth inning to close to 7-4 and had runners on second and third with one out. However, Michael “Big Mike” Feliz struck out Austin Slater and Steven Duggar to end the game and record his second save.

The Pirates seemed inspired by bench coach Craig Wilson footing the bill for yet another team dinner. Everyone assembled Monday night at Morton’s for steaks after the charter flight arrived from Pittsburgh.

The Virtual Corsairs, though, did not suffer a meat hangover.

It was a breezy 61 degrees at first pitch with the wind blowing out to right field at 10 mph. Time of game was three hours, 49 minutes and attendance was 25,463.

The series continues Wednesday night when Steven Brault (2-2, 4.94) faces Tyler Anderson (1-1, 5.31).

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