Virtual Pirates blanked by Braves

 

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 had no answers for Mike Soroka but still hold a comfortable led in the National League Central.

Soroka pitched a four-hit shutout Sunday as the Virtual Atlanta Braves beat the Virtual Buccos 4-0 at Virtual PNC Park.

Though the Pirates (83-61) dropped two of three in the series, they remained 9 ½ games ahead of the second-place Virtual Milwaukee Brewers in the division standings. The Virtual Corsairs’ magic number for clinching the NL Central crown is 10 with 18 games to play.

Soroka (11-8) struck out five and walked none.

Sean Manaea left the game in the sixth inning with a sprained ankle. He had just been activated from the injured list before the game.

Manaea (12-8) gave up three runs and four hits in 5 1/3 innings while striking out three and walking one. He allowed home runs to Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuna Jr.

Jason Martin had two of the Pirates’ hits.

Prior to the game, the Pirates put Adam Duvall on the IL with a bruised shoulder and called up outfielder Socrates Brito from Virtual Triple-A Indianapolis.

Game time temperature was 75 degrees with the wind blowing out at 9 mph to center field. Attendance was 38,023 and time of game was three hours and two minutes.

The game also completed the Give ‘em The Willies homestand, inspired by bench coach Craig Wilson. On Saturday, fans received Jack Wilson bobblehead dolls then bobbleheads of the beloved bench coach were handed out Sunday.

The Pirates rolled to an 11-1 triumph on Saturday as Colin Moran came off the IL to go 3 for 4 with two doubles and six RBIs.

Josh Bell and Guillermo Heredia also added three hits games as the Pirates had a total of 15. Bell also scored four runs while Marcus Semien had two hits and Gregory Polanco drove in two runs.

Given a 4-0 lead after one inning, Trevor Williams (14-4) breezed to the victory. He allowed one run on seven hits in 7 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts and one walk while throwing 101 pitches.

Braves opener Shane Greene (1-2) took the loss.

The Pirates are off Monday, which means they will not be laboring on Labor Day. They return to action Tuesday night with the opener of a two-game series against the Tigers at Virtual Comerica Park in Detroit with Joe Musgrove (13-5, 3.30) opposing left-hander Matthew Boyd (3-16, 5.14) 


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