Alonso, Mets slow Virtual Pirates


 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’ magic number stayed stagnant.

Pete Alonso hit two home runs and had four RBIs to lead the Virtual New York Mets to an 8-4 victory over the Virtual Buccos on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at Virtual PNC Park.

The Pirates (84-63) had their lead in the National League Central over the Milwaukee Brewers reduced to nine games. The magic number for the Virtual Corsairs winning the division remained at seven with 15 games remaining.

Chris Archer gave up Alonso’s first home run, a three-run shot in the second inning that put the Mets ahead 5-0.

Archer (9-8) was hammered for five runs and six hits in two-plus innings. He also had three walks and no strikeouts while throwing 54 pitches.

Alonso added a solo shot in the sixth inning off Tyler Webb, the third of seven Pirates’ pitchers.

Marcus Semien, Colin Moran and Jason Martin had two hits apiece for the Pirates. Alonso finished with three hits and four RBIs for the Mets and Dominic Smith also had three hits.

Rick Porcello (5-13) was the winner.

Bench coach Craig Wilson seemed agitated about the loss. The normally upbeat former slugger was heard in the clubhouse yelling “c’mon Skip, you need to do a better job than that” at the manager.

It was rainy and 67 degrees at first pitch with the wind blowing out to center field at 10 mph. Time of game was three hours and 46 minutes and attendance was 38,008.

The series continues Saturday night with Trevor Williams (14-4, 3.99) opposing Jose Urena (8-6, 4.22).


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