Semien, Manaea star as Virtual Pirates take 2-0 lead over Braves in NLCS


 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 are just two wins away from a berth in the World Series.

Marcus Semien hit a tiebreaker home run in the eighth inning to give the Virtual Buccos and Sean Manaea a 4-1 victory over the Virtual Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series on Sunday night at PNC Park.

The Pirates have a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Following a travel day Monday, Game 3 will be played Tuesday night at Truist Park in Atlanta with Chris Archer opposing Bryse Wilson.

With the score 1-1, pinch hitter Adam Duvall was hit by a Darren O’Day pitch to start the eighth inning. Semien then blasted an 0-1 pitch down the left-field line for a home run to put the Pirates in front.

Gregory Polanco added a sacrifice fly later in the inning as the Virtual Corsairs improved to 5-0 in the postseason and won 17 of their last 18 games overall.

The Braves had tied the game in the top of the eighth on Johan Camargo’s home run off Manaea.

That was the only run Manaea allowed in eight innings while getting the win. He gave up six hits, struck out three and did not walk a batter in an 88-pitch outing.

Craig Stammen pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the save as closer Keone Kela was unavailable.

Bryan Reynolds had a solo home run in the third inning that opened the scoring among his three hits. Semien finished with two hits.

Josh Bell returned to the lineup after missing Game 1 with a mild oblique strain.

It was another cold night with the game time temperature just 45 degrees and the wind blowing out to center field at 6 mph. Fittingly, the game was played in a brisk two hours and 41 minutes. Attendance was 37,661.

Bench coach Craig Wilson came up with yet another idea to get the crowd in a festive spirit. A replica pirate ship sailed up and down the Allegheny River during the game.

“The crowd loved it,” Wilson said. “I have no doubt the ship played a part in this win.”


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