Virtual Pirates blanked by Braves' Soroka, still lead NLCS 3-2


  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.

ATLANTA – The Virtual Pirates’ offense came up empty with a trip to the World Series on the line. However, they still have two more cracks at the getting to the Fall Classic.

Mike Soroka pitched a six-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts to lead the Virtual Atlanta Braves to a 2-0 victory over the Virtual Buccos in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday night at Virtual Truist Park.

The Pirates still lead 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 is set for Saturday night at Virtual PNC Park with Sean Manaea facing Max Fried in a matchup of left-handers.

Mitch Keller pitched well while taking the loss as he allowed two runs on seven hits in five innings. He struck out four, walked two and threw 95 pitches.

The Braves scored single runs in the first and fourth innings. Dansby Swanson homered in the fourth.

Bryan Reynolds had two of the Virtual Corsairs’ six hits.

Gregory Polanco’s two-run double keyed a three-run 11th inning as the Pirates rallied for a 7-4 victory in Game 4.

Reynolds’ two-run double in the ninth knotted the score at 4-all and forced extra innings.

Marcus Semien, Reynolds, Colin Moran and Travis Swaggerty each had two hits.

Craig Stammen pitched two perfect innings of relief for the win. Joe Musgrove started and allowed four runs and nine hits in six innings while striking out four and walking one.

Mark Melancon was the losing pitcher.

The Braves got their first win of the series in Game 3, 6-3. Buster Posey’s three-run home run keyed a five-run first inning against losing pitcher Chris Archer.

Ozzie Albies led off the first with a home run as Archer lasted just 2/3 inning. He was charged with five runs, though only one was earned, while giving up four hits and striking out one.

An error by Semien at shortstop led to four of the runs being unearned.

Swaggerty had two hits and Moran belted a two-run home run in the ninth inning.

Rookie Bryse Wilson got the win, surrendering only one run in 5 2/3 innings.

“It’s nice that the fans will get a chance to see us clinch at home,” Pirates bench coach Craig Wilson said. “But let’s wrap it up in Game 6 and get ready for the World Series.”

With that, Wilson took the team out to a very late-night dinner at The Varsity consisting of hamburgers, hot dogs and onion rings.

“Eating has spurred us all year,” Wilson said. “No need to change that now.”


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hall of Fame voting becoming more chore than honor

Image
The honor is never lost on me. Sometime just after Thanksgiving every year, the enveloped arrives in the mail from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown. Enclosed is my annual Hall of Fame ballot as I am part of the electorate that consists of all members of the Baseball Writers Association of America with 10 years of continuous service. I have been voting for 24 years now and do not take the responsibility lightly. Being elected to the Hall of Fame changes people’s lives and demarcates the great players of the game’s history from the very good. When I get ready to cast my vote, I always pause to appreciate the significance. Voting for the Hall of Fame is something I enjoyed for many years. It was fun to look at the various candidate’s careers – study their statistics, recall personal observations, talk to peers from their playing days – before casting my ballot. However, the fun is being squeezed out of the task with each passing year. So many of the c
Read more

Bob Nutting and PirateFest

Image
A number of people have been in touch on social media or emailed wanting to know why Bob Nutting was not at Piratefest at PNC Park on Saturday morning/afternoon and but at the Pitt-West Virginia game on Saturday night. As a matter of disclosure, I wasn't at Piratefest and haven 't been there for years. I have no interest in it and, from a professional standpoint, don't find any value in attending. Nevertheless, I contacted Pirates spokesman Brian Warecki to ask about Nutting's whereabouts Saturday and he said the owner was on hand for a portion of Piratefest. This  was his response. "Bob was at Piratefest, along with his wife, for a few hours in the morning. He chatted with our players and mingled with season ticket holders." I also followed up by asking why Nutting did not take part in any of the Ask Pirates Management sessions as he has done in other years. This was his Warecki's response: "Ask Pirates management is exactly that, daily
Read more

Playing the Pirates' 2020 season anyway

Image
Hi there, As everyone knows, opening day of the Major League Baseball season was supposed to be on Thursday. However, like most of the rest of the world, the coronavirus pandemic has changed those plans. I have been asked to simulate the season using the game Out Of The Park Baseball 21. I will be the general manager/manager of the Pirates. We will play the original schedule, which means I'll make my managerial debut Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays at Virtual Tropicana Field. If enough people are interested, I'll post a small blurb on each game. I realize there are more important matters in the world but perhaps it can serve as a diversion for a few minutes. Stay safe, John
Read more