Virtual Pirates' eight-game win streak ended by Reds

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 – Trevor Williams didn’t have the best of tune-ups as the Virtual Pirates get ready for the postseason.

Under consideration to start Game 1 of the National League Division Series next week, Williams lasted just 3 1/3 innings as the Pirates were routed 11-4 by the Virtual Cincinnati Reds on Thursday night at Virtual PNC Park.

The loss snapped the Virtual Buccos’ eight-game winning streak, its longest of the season.

Williams (16-5) was rocked for six runs, though just two were earned, on five hits. He struck out three, walked two and surrendered a grand slam to winning pitcher Sonny Gray (12-9) in the fourth inning that gave the Reds a 6-0 lead.

Gregory Polanco had two hits for the Pirates. He also homered as did Adam Duvall, who hit a two-run shot as a pinch-hitter.

Shogo Akiyama had three hits for the Reds.

The NL Central champion Pirates fell to 93-66, the same record as the National League East-leading Virtual Washington Nationals. The Nationals lead the Virtual Atlanta Braves (90-69) by three games with three days remaining in the season.

The Virtual Corsairs will have home-field advantage in the NLDS if they finish with the second-best record in the league.

The Virtual Los Angeles Dodgers (106-53), winners of the NL West, have already clinched home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

The second-place finisher in the NL East will host the Virtual Philadelphia Phillies (87-72) in the NL wild card game.

Two of the American League’s three divisions races have been decided with the Virtual Tampa Bay Rays (95-64) clinching the East title and the Virtual Cleveland Indians (101-58) capturing the Central crown.

The Virtual Houston Astros (93-66) hold a one-game lead over the Virtual Los Angeles Angels (92-69) in the AL West with three games to play. Pirates bench coach Craig Wilson, an Orange County native, is believed to be secretly pulling for a Virtual Buccos-Halos matchup in the World Series.

Wilson grew up rooting for the Angels but was evasive when asked during a team meeting who he would pull for in a potential Fall Classic matchup.

“All I’ll say is the Angels don’t bang on trash cans,” Wilson said.

The Virtual Minnesota Twins (96-63) will host the AL wild card game against the Astros, Angels or Virtual Chicago White Sox (91-68).

The Indians will host the wild card winner while in one ALDS while the Rays ad AL West champion will square off in the other.

Attendance was 35,504 and time of the game was three hours, 31 minutes. It was 68 degrees with the wind blowing out to center field at 14 mph.

The loss to the Reds came after the Pirates swept a two-game series against the Virtual Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on Tuesday and Wednesday. Fans broke out the whiskbrooms since it was a shortened series.

The Pirates won 7-2 on Tuesday and Marcus Semien keyed the victory with a three-run double during a five-run second inning.

Colin Moran had three hits and Jacob Stallings added two.

Sean Manaea (13-8) was the winner in is return from the injured list, pitching 5 1/3 innings and giving up two runs and five hits. He also had seven strikeouts and no walks while throwing 90 pitches.

Corey Kluber (17-9) took the loss.

On Wednesday, Chris Archer and Clay Holmes combined on a seven-hit shutout as the Pirates rolled to an 8-0 victory.

Archer (11-8) gave up six hits in 7 2/3 innings while striking out seven, walking one and throwing 112 pitches.

Polanco led the offense with three hits and three RBIs. Josh Bell, Moran and Elias Diaz also had two hits and Bryan Reynolds highlighted a five-run second inning with a two-run double.

Yu Darvish (12-15) was the losing pitcher.

The four-game series with the Reds continues Friday night with Joe Musgrove (14-7, 3.68) facing Tyler Mahle (10-10, 5.46)

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