Keller leads Virtual Pirates' blanking of Tigers

 


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.

DETROIT – The digits are adding up in a favorable way for the Virtual Pirates.

The Virtual Buccos’ lead in the National League is now in double digits as they hold a 10-game advantage over the Virtual Milwaukee Brewers with 16 games.

And the Pirates’ magic number for clinching the division has been reduced to seven following a split of a two-game series against the Virtual Tigers that ended Wednesday at Virtual Comerica Park in Detroit.

Mitch Keller threw eight dazzling innings Wednesday to lead the Pirates to a 4-0 victory.

Keller (9-8) allowed three hits, struck out nine and walked one. He threw 101 pitches before Keone Kela finished the four-hit shutout in a non-save situation.

Adam Frazier had three hits and Jacob Stallings added two.

The Pirates (84-62) took an early 2-0 lead against Dario Agrazal (1-7) and that proved to be enough for Keller. Gregory Polanco hit an RBI single in the first inning and Stallings doubled home a run in the second.

Bryan Reynolds came off the disabled list and went 1 for 5 with a double. Socrates Brito was designated for assignment to create roster space.

It was 63 degrees with an 11-mph wind blowing in from right field on a cool day in the Motor City. Attendance was just 8,197 and time of game was three hours and eight minutes.

During batting practice, Pirates bench coach Craig Wilson and Tigers bench coach Lloyd McClendon had a long chat around the cage. McClendon managed the Pirates from 2001-05 during Wilson’s first five seasons as a major league player.

Considering their current jobs, perhaps they should have had that chat on a bench.

“It’s always good to catch up with old friends,” Wilson said. “It’s hard to believe it’s been 15 years since we were last together in Pittsburgh.”

On Tuesday, the Tigers thumped the Virtual Corsairs 10-2 as Joe Musgrove (13-6) was tagged for six runs (five earned) in 2 2/3 innings.

Polanco had his 28th home run among two hits. Marcus Semien and Stallings also had two hits each.

Matthew Boyd (4-14) held the Pirates to only one run in 7 1/3 innings.

The Pirates are off Thursday then host the Virtual New York Mets on Friday night to open a three-game series at Virtual PNC Park. Chris Archer (9-7, 3.48) will oppose Rick Porcello (4-13, 5.58).

 


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