Virtual Pirates win in 12, draw within 1/2 game of first



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 took a series from a team with the best record in the major leagues, but it was not all good news.

Adam Frazier’s run-scoring single in the top of the 12th inning lifted the Virtual Buccos to a 4-3 victory over the Virtual Atlanta Braves on Thursday at Virtual Truist Park.

However, Nick Burdi tore the labrum in his right shoulder while pitching in the 10th inning and will require season-ending surgery. He had converted all 10 save opportunities this season while compiling a sparkling 1.55 ERA in 34 relief appearances.

Jarrod Dyson was also forced to exit in the fifth inning when he was sustained an undisclosed injury while running the bases. The veteran center fielder will be reevaluated Friday.

Despite the injuries, the Pirates (53-40) won three of four against the Braves (62-32) and drew within ½ game of the first-place Virtual Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central. The Virtual Pirates also have a one-game lead over the Virtual Philadelphia Phillies for the second NL wild card.

The Pirates also won for the eight time in the last nine games.

Kevin Newman led off the Pirates’ 12th with a single. He then stole second and moved to third on Guillermo Heredia’s fly out. After pinch-hitter Cole Tucker walked, Frazier singled home Newman with the winning run.

The Braves loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the inning, but Kyle Crick struck out rookie Cristian Pache to end the game and notch his sixth save.

Joe Musgrove had a good outing, though he was unable to get his 11th win. The big right-hander allowed three runs (two earned) in seven innings with five strikeouts and two walks while throwing 107 pitches.

Richard Rodriguez (4-1) retired all four batters he faced for the win.

Adam Duvall and Gregory Polanco hit back-to-back home runs in the second inning to open the scoring. The Braves pulled into a 3-3 tie in the sixth on Marcell Ozuna’s run-scoring double.

Ozuna had four hits. Chad Sobotka (2-1) was the losing pitcher.

The Braves honored Pirates bench coach Craig Wilson when he took the lineup card out to the umpires before the game. The legendary slugger played his final season with the Braves in 2007.

The Pirates move on to Cincinnati for a three-game series against the Reds at Virtual Great American Ball Park, which opens Friday night and ends the first half of the season. Trevor Williams (8-4, 4.71) will face Trevor Bauer (4-8, 5.04).


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