Virtul Pirates' lead down to 3 1/2 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 are losing their grip on the National League Central lead.

The Virtual Buccos lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks in consecutive games on Friday and Saturday while the Virtual Milwaukee Brewers won both days.

The Pirates (67-50) now hold a 3 ½-game edge on the Brewers in the division standings.

On Saturday night, rookie Zac Gallen (2-4) pitched into the eighth inning as the Diamondbacks won 5-2. The right-hander allowed two runs and five hits in 7 1/3 innings while striking out eighth.

Mitch Keller (8-5) was knocked out during a four-run fifth inning in which the Diamondbacks went ahead 5-2. The rookie struck out 10 in just 4 1/3 innings but gave up five runs and four hits and two walks. He threw 78 pitches.

Keller was chased by a three-run homer off the bat of Starling Marte, who was traded by the Pirates to the Diamondbacks in the offseason.

Archie Bradley notched his 24th save.

Game time temperature was 67 degrees with the wind blowing out to left field at 9 mph. Time of game was three hours and 24 minutes and attendance was 38,105.

Bench coach Craig Wilson huddled with the general manager/manager following the game.

“We don’t want to turn this into a long losing streak,” Wilson told reporters. “I suggested to the manager that he do something to turn the momentum back our way. Soon enough, I’m sure you’ll see what that is.”

Wilson would give no more details when pressed by the press.

The Pirates fell 6-2 to the Diamondbacks on Friday night as Madison Bumgarner (8-13) held the Virtual Corsairs to two runs and three hits over eight innings.

Chris Archer (7-6) allowed five runs and seven in 5 2/3 innings. He walked four, struck out four and threw 106 pitches.

Gregory Polanco provided the Pirates’ highlight with a two-run home run in the seventh inning. By that time, though, the Diamondbacks were already ahead 5-0.

Rookie catcher Daulton Varsho hit a three-run homer off Archer in the second inning to open the scoring. He is the son of former Pirates outfielder and coach Gary “Varsh” Varsho.

Ketel Marte and Nick Ahmed also connected for the Diamondbacks and Varsho had three hits. Bradley got the save.

The four-game series concludes on Sunday. JT Brubaker (0-1, 14.73) will be called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to take the ill Trevor Williams’ spot in the rotation and face fellow rookie Jon Duplantier (5-5, 4.69).

 


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