Virtual Pirates lose another game off 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.

CINCINNATI – The Virtual Pirates seemed to take solid control of the National League Central race last week. Now, their grip on first place is loosening by the day.

Anthony DeSclafani pitched six solid innings to lead the Virtual Cincinnati Reds to a 5-2 victory over the Virtual Buccos on Thursday night at Virtual Great American Ball Park in the opener of a four-game series.

The Pirates had their division lead sliced to one game over the Virtual Milwaukee Brewers. The Virtual Corsairs had a 5 ½-game lead after sweeping the Brewers in a three-game series last week at Virtual PNC Park but have since gone 2-5.

Marcus Semien got the Pirates headed in the right direction with an RBI single in the second inning then hit a solo home run in the fifth off DeSclafani.

However, the Pirates did not score again, and it was all Reds after that.

Mike Moustakas put the Reds ahead for good at 3-2 with a two-run single in the sixth inning off Mitch Keller (8-6). That came after Nicholas Castellanos hit a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth.

Keller allowed three runs and six hits in six innings with nine strikeouts and no walks. He threw 74 pitches before being lifted for a pinch hitter.

Semien and Gregory Polanco each had two hits.

It was a warm evening in the Queen City with the game-time temperature 85 degrees and the wind blowing out to right field at 8 mph. Time of the game was three hours and four minutes and the attendance was 22,398.

The series continues Friday night with JT Brubaker (1-1, 8.79) pitching against Trevor Bauer (6-10, 4.28).

In a move designed to hopefully lift the team’s spirits, bench coach Craig Wilson has planned a field trip for Friday morning. The squad will bus to Ohio Caverns in West Liberty, Ohio to do some spelunking.

“I think our guys are trying too hard now and are pressing,” Wilson said. “They need to get their minds off baseball for a few hours. And we have run into a lot of hot weather on this trip. What better place to forget baseball and cool off a little bit than in a 54-degree cave?”

 


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