Archer loses to Padres in return to Virtual Pirates' rotation



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 – Chris Archer had a rocky return from the injured list and the Virtual Pirates suffered a rare July loss.

Matt Strahm pitched one-run ball and allowed only one hit in 7 1/3 innings as the Virtual San Diego Padres downed the Virtual Buccos 8-2 on Wednesday night at Virtual PNC Park.

The Pirates (58-43) lost for just the fourth times in 16 games in July. They remained in first place in the National League Central, one game ahead of the Virtual Milwaukee Brewers.

The Pirates and Brewers meet in a three-game series beginning Friday at Virtual Miller Park in Milwaukee.

The Pirates also acquired bullpen help in a post-game trade, getting veteran reliever Brandon Kintzler from the Virtual Miami Marlins in a trade for infielder Kevin Kramer.

Kintzler is expected to join the team in time for Thursday’s game with the Padres, which will be the finale of the three-game series.

Archer (7-3) lasted just 4 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits. He had seven strikeouts and three walks while throwing 101 pitches.

The Pirates were limited to two hits, a double by Ke’Bryan Hayes in the second inning off Strahm (3-7) and a ninth-inning single by Elias Diaz.

The Padres erased the Pirates’ 1-0 lead with a three-run fourth inning. Abraham Almonte hit an RBI single and Tommy Pham added a two-run double to put the Fighting Friars ahead.

Eric Hosmer’s three-run home run in the eighth inning off Edgar Santana put the game out of reach at 8-1. Hosmer and Jurickson Profar each had three hits.

Along with Archer, Hayes was activated from the IL prior to the game. Right-hander JT Brubaker was optioned to Virtual Triple-A Indianapolis and outfielder Socrates Brito was designated for assignment.

Brito was crestfallen by the move. He was consoled by bench coach Craig Wilson before leaving the clubhouse.

“I tried to be philosophical with Socrates,” Wilson said.

Mitch Keller (6-3, 2.95) will pitch Thursday against Zach Davies (8-8, 4.18).


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