Manaea wins Virtual Pirates' debut


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 regular 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 – Sean Manaea was impressive in his Virtual Pirates’ debut.

Manaea pitched one-run ball over seven innings as the Virtual Buccos edged the Virtual St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at Virtual PNC Park.

Manaea (11-7) allowed five hits and did not walk a batter while striking out seven. The left-hander threw 105 pitches and the Cardinals’ lone run came on Yadier Molina’s solo homer in the second inning that opened the scoring.

The Pirates (63-46) increased their lead to three games over the Virtual Milwaukee Brewers in the National League East. The Virtual Corsairs finished July with a 17-7 record.

The Pirates acquired Manaea and shortstop Marcus Semien from the Virtual Oakland Athletics in a trade earlier in the week.

Semien hit an RBI double in the third inning then scored what proved the decisive run on Gregory Polanco’s double. Polanco had two hits.

Keone Kela worked around a single and a walk in the ninth inning to record his 12th save in 15 opportunities.

Brad Keller (2-11) was the tough-luck loser.

The game took two hours and 57 minutes to play and attendance was 38,271. The evening was breezy as it was 68 degree at game time with the wind blowing from left to right at 18 mph.

Bryan Reynolds and Guillermo Heredia were activated from the injured list prior to the game and Tim Beckham and Adam Duvall were designated for assignment to clear roster spots.

The Pirates also learned that Jarrod Dyson suffered a setback in his rehab from a strained shoulder. The Pirates were hopeful of getting Dyson back from the IL next week but now there is no immediate timetable for his return.

On Thursday’s off day, bench coach Craig Wilson treated the four players the Virtual Corsairs acquired leading up to Friday’s trade deadline – Manaea, Semien and relievers Brandon Kintzler and Craig Stammen – to dinner at Primanti Brothers in the Strip District.

“What’s more Pittsburgh than that?” Wilson said. “I thought it would make the new guys feel at home.”

The Pirates looked to add some depth prior to the deadline but were unable to strike any deals Friday by 4 p.m.

The series continues Saturday night with Joe Musgrove (10-4, 3.26) facing Jack Flaherty (4-12, 4.78). An Old-Timers Game will be held prior to the matchup with Wilson dusting off his bats to take some hacks.


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