Keller, Stallings lead Virtual Pirates over Brewers



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.

MILWAUKEE – A rookie came up big in the Virtual Pirates’ most important game of the season to this point.

Mitch Keller pitched into the eighth inning and the Virtual Buccos downed the Virtual Milwaukee Brewers 6-3 at Virtual Miller Park in the opener of a three-game series between the top two teams in the National League Central.

The second-place Pirates drew within 2 ½ games of the division-leading Brewers. They also improved to 44-37 at the midpoint of the season.

Keller (6-3) gave up two runs and eight hits in 7 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts and two walks. He threw 100 pitches while lowering his ERA to 2.72.

Nick Burdi pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his sixth save in as many opportunities after Keston Hiura’s two-run home run off Chad Kuhl in the eighth drew the Brewers within three runs.

The Pirates had 14 hits, including three by Jacob Stallings. He had two doubles, including a pivotal one that drove in a run in a three-run second inning that put the  Pirates ahead 4-1 against Brandon Woodruff (8-6).

Jarrod Dyson had two hits and two RBIs and Adam Frazier, Kevin Newman, Gregory Polanco, and Colin Moran also had two hits each. Newman’s RBI single in the second snapped a 1-1 tie and put the Pirates ahead for good.

Moran was activated from the injured list before the game and Ke’Bryan Hayes was optioned to Virtual Triple-A Indianapolis.

 In another roster move, Chris Stratton was assigned outright to Indianapolis and will be used as a starting pitcher. He was designated for assignment earlier in the week.

The Virtual Miller Park roof was closed on a rainy night in Milwaukee. Time of game was three hours, 29 minutes and attendance was 41,571.

In a touching gesture during a pre-game team meeting, bench coach Craig Wilson suggested the Virtual Corsairs dedicate the game to long-time team photographer Dave Arrigo.

In sad real-life news, the Pirates let Arrigo go Friday after 31 years with the team in a cost-cutting measure.

Perhaps the Pirates will use the money saved on Arrigo to pursue Mookie Betts in free agency next winter. Probably not, though.

The series continues Saturday with Steven Brault (3-3, 5.82) pitching against Kevin Gausman (4-6, 5.20).


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