Virtual Pirates fall to Phillies in 10 innings


  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.

PHILADELPHIA -- The Virtual Pirates’ bid to sweep the season series from the Virtual Philadelphia Phlllies fell one run short.

Breyvic Valera doubled home the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning off Keone Kela as the Phillies downed the Virtual Buccos 3-2 on Wednesday night at Virtual Citizens Bank Park.

The Pirates (77-57) were unable to close out their second three-game sweep of the Phillies this year but remained five games ahead of the second-place Virtual Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central.

Ryan Schimpf singled with two outs off Kela (3-3) and Valera followed by lining his game-winner to the left-center field gap for his fourth hit of the game.

Clay Holmes went 6 2/3 innings in his first start of the season. He was pressed into emergency duty when scheduled starter James Marvel came down with a severe toothache earlier in the day that required oral surgery.

Marvel was called up from Virtual Triple-A Indianapolis to make a spot start in the place of injured Sean Manaea. In a move that caused some anger in the clubhouse, Oliver Perez was designated for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster.

Marvel will stay with the team for the time being and be utilized as a reliever.

Holmes walked seven and allowed seven hits yet managed to yield just two runs. He also had seven strikeouts in a 104-pitch effort.

The Pirates were held to five hits by Aaron Nola and the bullpen. Both runs came on Josh Bell’s 27th homer of the season.

Tanner Scott (3-1) was winning pitcher after getting the last out in the top of the 10th.

Attendance was 39,786 on a 73-degree evening with the wind blowing out to right field at 10 mph. Time of game was three hours and 37 minutes.

The Pirates’ took yet another field trip inspired by bench coach Craig Wilson on Wednesday morning as they toured Independence Hall. Many players wanted to ring the Liberty Bell, but Wilson had to break the bad news that the bell was broken.

The Pirates are off Thursday before opening a three-game series against the Virtual Cardinals on Friday night at Virtual Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Joe Musgrove (11-5, 3.48) will face Dakota Hudson (10-6, 4.31).


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