Virtual Pirates take two of three from Brewers, extend NL Central lead

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.

MILWAUKEE – The Virtual Pirates added to their division lead in a showdown series with the Virtual Milwaukee Brewers but left Virtual Park on Sunday feeling they could have done more.

Tyler Webb failed to retire any of the four batters he faced and all scored as the Brewers rallied for a 6-5 win after the Virtual Pirates took a 4-1 lead into the eighth inning.

The Pirates (61-44) did win two of three in the series to increase their lead to 2 ½ games over the second-place Brewers in the National League Central. The Virtual Corsairs are 15-5 in July.

Bench coach Craig Wilson was so impressed by the team’s effort that he sprung for bratwursts after each of the three games. When a reporter mentioned that sausage might not be the healthiest food for professional athletes, the media friendly Wilson gave a rare terse reply.

“We eat as well as any team in the league, I make sure of that,” Wilson said. “You can debate the healthiness aspect if you want but we’re in first place and that’s all that matters.”

The Pirates won 4-1 on Friday night and 9-5 on Saturday night.

After Justin Smoak’s two-run double highlighted the Brewers’ eighth Sunday, the Pirated ties the game in the ninth inning. Colin Moran tripled and scored on Jacob Stallings’ single off Corey Knebel (8-1).

However, the Brewers won the game in the bottom of the ninth when Avisail Garcia hit a walk-off double against Brandon Kintzler (3-3).

The Pirates wasted a fine start by Joe Musgrove, who gave up just two runs on seven hits in 7 1/3 innings while throwing 110 pitches. He had four strikeouts and two walks.

Stallings had two hits while new starting shortstop Tim Beckham struck out in all four plate appearances.

Jarrod Dyson left the game with a sore shoulder, just a day after being activated from the injured list.

Time of game was three hours and 18 minutes and attendance was 41,631.

The Pirates called Beckham up from Virtual Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday when Cole Tucker went on the IL with hamstring tendinitis. Tucker joins fellow shortstop Kevin Newman on the IL.

Sources indicate the Pirates may deal for a shortstop and add pitching help in the days leading up to the July 31 trade deadline.

Beckham homered in his Pirates’ debut Saturday and Josh Bell and Adam Duvall also went deep in the 9-5 victory. Each member of that trio had two hits and two RBIs.

Adam Frazier finished with three hits and two RBIs and Gregory Polanco contributed a pair of hits. Frazier’s two-run double in the top of the fourth off Adrian Houser (9-6) snapped a 3-3 tie and put the Pirates ahead for good.

Clay Holmes (5-2) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of starter Steven Brault, who was touched for four runs in four innings.

Time of game was three hours and 54 minutes and attendance was 41,781.

In Friday night’s 4-1 triumph, Trevor Williams (10-4) pitched eight strong innings to reach double figures in wins and tie Musgrove for the team lead in victories. Williams gave up only one run and four hits while striking out two and walking none in a 98-pitch outing.

Keone Kela struck out two in a perfect ninth inning for his 11^th save.

Ke’Bryan Hayes’ two-run single off Kevin Gaumsan (6-8) capped a three-run third innings that put the Pirates ahead 3-0. Bell went 2 for 3 with a homer and two walks.

Attendance was 41,696 and time of game was three hours and 11 minutes.

Hayes and outfielder Jason Martin were optioned to Indianapolis before Saturday’s game to clear roster space for the activation of Dyson and Moran from the IL. In another move, Indianapolis catcher Luke Maile was designated for assignment to open a 40-man roster spot for Beckham.

The road trip continues Monday night with the opener of a three-game series against the Virtual San Diego Padres at Virtual Petco Park. Chris Archer (7-3, 3.25) will oppose left-hander Matt Strahm (3-7, 5.01).

STANDINGS

AL EAST: Yankees 61-44, Rays 61-45, Red Sox 46-59, Blue Jays 46-60, Orioles 24-82

AL CENTRAL: Indians 69-37, White Sox 64-40, Twins 65-43, Royals 42-64, Tigers 38-68

AL WEST: Astros 62-43, Angels 62-43, Athletics 56-49, Mariners 54-53, Rangers 43-64

NL EAST: Braves 71-34, Nationals 61-46, Phillies 58-48, Mets 42-63, Marlins 42-64

NL CENTRAL: Pirates 61-44, Brewers 58-46, Reds 51-54, Cubs 48-57, Cardinals 46-61

NL WEST: Dodgers 68-38, Padres 53-52, Diamondbacks 45-60, Giants 44-61, Rockies 43-62

STATISTICS

BATTING

Beckham .250-1-2

Bell .270-22-65

Diaz .328-2-29

Duvall .218-7-29

Dyson .285-2-33, 14 SB

Elmore 1.000-0-0

Frazier .297-7-54

Gonzalez .293-4-17

*Heredia .273-4-16

Moran .308-1-11

*Newman .266-3-38, 16 SB

Osuna .296-12-33

Polanco .254-22-77, 8 SB

*Reynolds .311-7-41, 9 SB

Stallings .305-4-27

Swaggerty .313-1-1

*Tucker .333-2-4

PITCHING

Archer 7-3, 3.25

Brault 6-4, 5.83

*Burdi 2-3, 1.55, 10 Sv

Crick 2-2, 3.80, 6 Sv

Feliz 3-2, 2.90, 2 Sv

Holmes 5-2, 3.83

Kela 2-2, 3.51, 11 Sv

Keller 7-3, 3.04

Kintzler 3-3, 4.29, 17 Sv

Musgrove 10-4, 3.26

Rodriguez 4-1, 4.10, 1 Sv

Santana 0-1, 5.66, 1 Sv

Webb 3-0, 3.05

Williams 10-4, 4.77

*Injured List