Osuna's three homers wasted as Virtual Pirates lose to Reds



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.

CINCINNATI – Jose Osuna had a game to remember. JT Brubaker had a major league debut to forget.

Osuna hit three home runs, but Brubaker was tagged for six runs in 4 2/3 innings as the Virtual Pirates lost 10-8 to the Virtual Cincinnati Reds on Saturday at Virtual Great American Ball Park.

Two of Osuna’s homers were solo shots and the other was a three-run drive. He went 3 for 3 with two walks and five RBIs but the Virtual Buccos (54-41) lost for just the second time in their last 11 games.

Osuna has 12 home runs this season in 187 plate appearances.

The Pirates remained ½ game behind the Virtual Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central and two games ahead of the Virtual Philadelphia Phillies for the second wild card.

Brubaker (0-1) struggled, giving up four runs in the third inning and two more in the fifth when the Reds went ahead for good at 6-5 on Aristedes Aquino’s two-run home run.

Brubaker was recalled from Virtual Triple-A Indianapolis prior to the game. He is taking the rotation spot of Chris Archer, who sustained a hamstring strain Monday in his start against the Virtual Atlanta Braves.

The Pirates also called up outfielder Jason Martin from Indianapolis and he started in center field, going 1 for 5. Martin replaced Jarrod Dyson, who went on the injured list with a strained abdominal muscle a day after getting hurt running the bases.

The Pirates also sent Blake Cederlind to Indianapolis.

The Pirates lost yet another player to injury when Ke’Bryan Hayes strained his arm while making a throw in the second inning. The rookie was forced from the game and is likely headed to the IL.

It marked the fifth time in the last six games that a Pirates player left the game with an injury. Bench coach Craig Wilson suggested the Virtual Corsairs hire former Pirates strength and conditioning coach Frank Velasquez to help get the team in better shape and management agreed.

Velasquez will join the Pirates next Friday following the All-Star break.

In other news, Joe Musgrove was the only Pirates player selected to next Tuesday’s All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Musgrove is 10-4 with a 3.06 ERA in 19 starts.

Many in the clubhouse grumbled about only one player being selected from a team that has been the surprise of the NL.

Cederlind, Oneil Cruz and Travis Swaggerty will play in Sunday’s All-Star Futures Game.

Osuna’s three-run homer in the third put the Pirates ahead 4-0. However, Brubaker was unable to hold the lead.

After Aquino put the Reds ahead 6-5 in the fifth, Joey Votto hit a three-run home runs in the sixth off Chad Kuhl to extend the lead to four runs.

Adam Frazier also homered for the Pirates and finished with four hits and two RBIs. Erik Gonzalez had two hits after replacing Hayes at third base.

Amir Garrett (1-3) got the win, Chaz Roe notched his fifth save and Votto drove in four runs.

The rubber game of the three-game series as well as the final game of the first half of the season is set for Sunday. Mitch Keller (6-3, 2.88) will face Anthony “Disco” DeSclafani (6-6, 5.20).

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