Big first inning powers Virtual Pirates by Brewers

 


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 – The Virtual Pirates took away much of the suspense early in the opener of their pivotal four-game series with the Virtual Milwaukee Brewers.

Travis Swaggerty’s grand slam capped a seven-run first inning and the Virtual Buccos rolled to a 9-2 victory Monday night at Virtual PNC Park.

The division-leading Pirates (80-58) moved 7 ½ games in front of the second-place Brewers in the National League Central with 24 games remaining.

Josh Bell hit a two-run home run, his 30th, in the big first inning and Elias Diaz added an RBI single before Swaggerty connected with the bases full. All the runs came off Jeff “The Shark” Samardzija (6-14).

Winning pitcher Trevor Williams (13-4) worked into the eighth inning. He gave up two runs -- one earned -- and four hits in 7 1/3 innings while striking out seven, walking one and throwing 107 pitches.

Bell finished with two hits and three RBIs. Diaz, Marcus Semien and Gregory Polanco also had two hits each.

Keston Hiura had three hits for the Brewers, including a solo homer.

Bench coach Craig Wilson said the big first inning was likely the result of a relaxed team that enjoyed a summer of fun, food and field trips.

“They’ve put a big dent in my credit card but it’s all worth it,” he said.

The series continues Tuesday night. JT Brubaker (2-1, 6.30) is expected to be activated from the injured list and face Brandon Woodruff (11-10, 4.61).


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hall of Fame voting becoming more chore than honor

Image
The honor is never lost on me. Sometime just after Thanksgiving every year, the enveloped arrives in the mail from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown. Enclosed is my annual Hall of Fame ballot as I am part of the electorate that consists of all members of the Baseball Writers Association of America with 10 years of continuous service. I have been voting for 24 years now and do not take the responsibility lightly. Being elected to the Hall of Fame changes people’s lives and demarcates the great players of the game’s history from the very good. When I get ready to cast my vote, I always pause to appreciate the significance. Voting for the Hall of Fame is something I enjoyed for many years. It was fun to look at the various candidate’s careers – study their statistics, recall personal observations, talk to peers from their playing days – before casting my ballot. However, the fun is being squeezed out of the task with each passing year. So many of the c
Read more

Bob Nutting and PirateFest

Image
A number of people have been in touch on social media or emailed wanting to know why Bob Nutting was not at Piratefest at PNC Park on Saturday morning/afternoon and but at the Pitt-West Virginia game on Saturday night. As a matter of disclosure, I wasn't at Piratefest and haven 't been there for years. I have no interest in it and, from a professional standpoint, don't find any value in attending. Nevertheless, I contacted Pirates spokesman Brian Warecki to ask about Nutting's whereabouts Saturday and he said the owner was on hand for a portion of Piratefest. This  was his response. "Bob was at Piratefest, along with his wife, for a few hours in the morning. He chatted with our players and mingled with season ticket holders." I also followed up by asking why Nutting did not take part in any of the Ask Pirates Management sessions as he has done in other years. This was his Warecki's response: "Ask Pirates management is exactly that, daily
Read more

Playing the Pirates' 2020 season anyway

Image
Hi there, As everyone knows, opening day of the Major League Baseball season was supposed to be on Thursday. However, like most of the rest of the world, the coronavirus pandemic has changed those plans. I have been asked to simulate the season using the game Out Of The Park Baseball 21. I will be the general manager/manager of the Pirates. We will play the original schedule, which means I'll make my managerial debut Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays at Virtual Tropicana Field. If enough people are interested, I'll post a small blurb on each game. I realize there are more important matters in the world but perhaps it can serve as a diversion for a few minutes. Stay safe, John
Read more