Virtual Pirates sweep Brew Crew, go up by five games

 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’ trade with the Oakland Athletics last month paid off in a big way Wednesday night.

Sean Manaea pitched eight strong innings and Marcus Semien blasted a three-run home run to lead the Virtual Buccos to a 5-3 victory over the Virtual Milwaukee Brewers at Virtual PNC Park and a three-game sweep of a series between the top two teams in the National League Central.

The Pirates (66-48) increased their lead to five games over the Brewers. It has become a virtual two-team division race as the Virtual Cincinnati Reds are 11 games behind and the Virtual Chicago Cubs are 11 ½ games back.

Manaea (12-7) scattered eight hits and allowed three runs in a 97-pitch effort. He also had four strikeouts and one walk.

Keone Kela worked around a hit and a walk to pitch a scoreless ninth inning, notching his 13th save in 16 opportunities.

Semien’s homer in the fifth inning off Josh Lindblom (1-2) pushed the Pirates’ lead to 5-1. Elias Diaz had put the Pirates ahead 2-1 with a two-run double in the second inning.

One bit of bad news for the Virtual Corsairs was that Diaz left the game with a bruised forearm in the fifth inning after being hit by a pitch. He is likely to be placed on the injured list.

The Pirates won despite being outhit 9-5. Ryan Braun and Adeiny Hechavarria homered for the Brewers.

Bench coach/de facto director of fun Craig Wilson took the team to Dave & Buster’s following the game for some late-night legal fun. The establishment agreed to stay open late for the private party.

“I figured our guys would still be pretty pumped up after getting a big sweep,” Wilson said. “This gave them a chance to burn off some of that extra energy.

Game time temperature was 70 degrees with the wind blowing out to center field at 9 mph. Attendance was 34,850 and time of game was two hours and 55 minutes.

The Pirates open a four-game home series with the Virtual Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night. Joe Musgrove (10-4, 3.22) will pitch against rookie Kevin McCanna (1-6, 5.28).

 

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