Virtual Pirates outslugged by Stanton, Yankees




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.

PITTSBURGH – The Virtual Pirates scored 10 runs for the second game in a row. This time, though, it was not enough.

Giancarlo Stanton hit two home runs to lead the Virtual New York Yankees to a 12-10 victory over the Virtual Buccos on Tuesday night at Virtual PNC Park in the opener of a two-game series.

The Pirates lost for the third time in four games while falling to 38-34. Sunday, they routed the Virtual Colorado Rockies 10-2 on the road.

After falling behind 8-0 in the third inning Tuesday, the Pirates rallied to tie the score at 9-9 in the fifth and 10-10 in the sixth. However, Gary Sanchez’s two-run home run in the off Richard Rodriguez (3-1) snapped the deadlock and proved to be the game-winning hit.

Steven Brault was chased during a seven-run second inning by the Yankees that included Tyler Wade’s three-run double and a three-run homer by Stanton. In the fifth, Stanton connected for a solo shot off Derek Holland.

Brault was charged with seven runs in 1 2/3 innings. He gave up five hits, walked three and struck out two.

Jacob Stallings’ two-run double capped a four-run fifth inning, drawing the Pirates into a 9-9 tie.

The Pirates had 18 hits, including three each by Josh Bell and Gregory Polanco and a pair of doubles by both Bryan Reynolds and Guillermo Heredia. Adam Frazier, Kevin Newman and Stallings also had two hits apiece.

Michael Tauchman was The Sock Man – apologies to John Sterling – as he homered as part of the Yankees’ 11-hit attack. Ben Heller (3-0) got the win and Aroldis Chapman had his 18th save.

It was a warm evening with the temperature 77 degrees at first pitch and a 12-mph wind blowing out to right field. Attendance was 32,532 and time of the game was three hours, 26 minutes.

Bench coach Craig Wilson was awarded a five-year contract extension prior to the game that includes some unique clauses.

Wilson gets Starbucks coffee in the clubhouse for all game both home and away as well as an unlimited Starbucks card. His dogs, Caleigh Duquesne and Ruby Roundhouse, also receive a two-year supply of dog biscuits.

Wilson can void the contract if the current manager is fired between now and the end of the 2025 season.

The series concludes Wednesday night with Joe Musgrove (8-3, 3.20) pitching for the Virtual Corsairs. He will be opposed by Jonathan Loaisiga (5-3, 4.54).

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