Virtual Pirates edge Braves, move into playoff position



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.

ATLANTA – The Virtual Pirates kept rolling along Monday night, though the news was not all good.

The Pirates scored two runs in the top of the first inning and the Virtual Buccos held on for a 2-1 victory over the Virtual Atlanta Braves at Virtual Truist Park in the opener of a four-game series.

The Pirates (51-39) ran their winning streak to six games and now hold the second wild-card spot in the National League. They trail the Virtual Milwaukee Brewers by 1 ½ games in the NL Central.

So, if the playoffs started today, the Pirates would be in the field. Of course, the postseason does not come around until October.

The Pirates may be without one of their top starting pitchers for as they attempt to make a pennant push.

Chris Archer left the game in the fifth inning with what was thought to be a strained hamstring. Likely to be placed on the injured list, Archer is 7-2 with a 3.14 ERA in 19 starts.

Archer gave up one run and four hits in 4 2/3 innings against the Braves, who have the best record in the virtual major leagues at 61-30. He threw 65 pitches while striking out two and walking two.

Clay Holmes (4-1) relieved Archer and pitched two scoreless innings for the win. Keone Kela finished with two hitless innings for his seventh save.

Bryan Reynolds drove in the Pirates' first run with a sacrifice fly and Jacob Stallings hit an RBI single later in the first inning. That was all the Virtual Corsairs managed against Mike Soroka (8-5).

Kevin Newman had two of the Pirates’ seven hits.

It was a warm night in Atlanta with the temperature 77 degrees at first pitch and the wind blowing out to left field at 9 mph. Time of the game was three hours and 11 minutes and attendance was 40,907.

The Pirates won after being treated to yet another team dinner by bench coach Craig Wilson on Sunday night. Once the charter flight from Pittsburgh landed, the team headed to The Varsity for hot dogs and hamburgers, which seemed to be the perfect way to cap off the festive holiday weekend.

The series continues Tuesday night with Mitch Keller (6-3, 3.00) pitching against Mike Foltynewicz (7-3, 4.65).

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