Musgrove's gem lifts Virtual Pirates into second place




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 – Only one man stood between Joe Musgrove and immortality Thursday.

Musgrove pitched a two-hit shutout to lead the Virtual Pirates to a 2-0 victory over the Virtual San Francisco Giants at Virtual Oracle Park.

If not for Pablo Sandoval, Musgrove might have thrown a no-hitter. The Kung Fu Panda had both Giants’ hits, singles in the sixth and eighth innings.

The Virtual Buccos won for the 10th time in 12 games while improving to 37-31. They also moved into second place in the National League Central, two games behind the Virtual Milwaukee Brewers.

Musgrove (8-3) had nine strikeouts and one walk while lowering his ERA to 3.20. He threw 109 pitches.

The Pirates scratched out two runs off Drew Smyly (4-5). Gregory Polanco hit an RBI single in the first inning and Bryan Reynolds doubled in a run in the fifth.

The Pirates managed just four hits, two by Adam Frazier.

The lack of offense did not deter bench coach Craig Wilson from saying the Pirates’ skipper should be a strong candidate for Manager of the Year. That was nice of the legendary slugger to say.

It was 66 degrees at game time with the wind blowing in from center field at 16 mph. Attendance was 20,042 and time of game was two hours, 50 minutes.

The Virtual Corsairs continue their road trip Friday night with the opener of a three-game series against the Virtual Colorado Rockies at Virtual Coors Field in Denver.

Trevor Williams (5-4, 5.14) is scheduled to start against Antonio Senzatela (3-5, 5.99).


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