Virtual Pirates shut out Cubs behind Keller, three relievers


  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.

CHICAGO – The Virtual Pirates turned the tables on the Virtual Chicago Cubs.

Mitch Keller and three relief pitchers combined on a seven-hit shutout and the Virtual Buccos blanked the Cubs 4-0 on Tuesday night at Virtual Wrigley Field.

The Pirates were shut out by the Cubs on Monday night.

The Pirates (86-65) reduced their magic number for clinching the National League East title to five with 11 games remaining. They lead the Virtual Milwaukee Brewers by 7 ½ games in the division standings.

Keller (10-8) worked six innings, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out six. He threw 100 pitches.

Michael Feliz, Craig Stammen and Keone Kela finished with one inning each.

Colin Moran hit a solo home run in the second inning to open the scoring. Marcus Semien closed the scoring with a two-run double as a pinch hitter in the eighth on a day he was rested.

Moran and Kevin Newman, who filled in for Semien at shortstop, each had two hits.

Alec Mills (4-5) was the losing pitcher.

The Virtual Corsairs had lost five of the previous seven games. That led bench coach Craig Wilson to suggest that the manager give a pep talk to the team.

The talk obviously worked.

“We should have thought of that a long time ago,” the bench coach said.

However, the manager prefers the proven Wilson method of team dinners to spark morale.

The third game of the four-game series is set for Wednesday night with Chris Archer (9-8, 3.70) facing Corey Kluber (17-7, 2.79).

 


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