​PITTSBURGH (AP) — Esmerlyn Valdez, a breakout rookie, delivered a dramatic performance in the Pirates’ dramatic 7-6 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday. The 22-year-old right fielder launched two homers, including a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning, and drove in six runs to help Pittsburgh overturn a 6-3 deficit and seize the victory.
Valdez has been an offensive force in his first 26 major-league games, already tallying nine homers and 24 RBIs. His big swing in the seventh came off Aaron Ashby (12-2), turning a precarious late situation into a one-run lead and keeping the Brewers from clinching their 60th win of the season. The grand slam marked Valdez’s first career grand slam, a pivotal moment that redefined the game in Pittsburgh’s favor.
Earlier in the day, Valdez’s first homer of the afternoon gave the Pirates a 3-2 edge, a solo shot in the third inning that punctuated his multi-hit, multi-RBI performance. He also contributed a run-scoring single in the Pirates’ two-run first inning, underscoring his all-around impact and continued hot streak.
For Milwaukee, Jake Bauers and Sal Frelick supplied the offense with two-run homers. The Brewers, entering the game with a commanding 7½-game lead in the National League Central, leveraged Bauers’ shot to the right-field seats in the second to knot the game at 2-2. Frelick then capped a three-run fifth with a homer that put Milwaukee in front 5-3.
Milwaukee extended its advantage briefly when William Contreras singled home a run in the seventh, but Valdez answered immediately with the grand slam in the bottom half, erasing the deficit and giving Pittsburgh the lead it would not relinquish.
Pitching duties went to both sides in a tense back-and-forth. Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft, who had been a strong candidate for Tuesday’s All-Star Game, endured a rough outing by his lofty standards, yielding five runs over five innings. On the opposite mound, Carmen Mlodzinski was effective in relief, allowing just one run across three innings. Gregory Soto then closed the game with a scoreless ninth, earning his 12th save after forcing Andrew Vaughn to ground into a game-ending double play with the bases loaded.
For the Brewers, rookie Brandon Sproat took the loss, giving up three runs in three innings. The two teams were set to continue their doubleheader with a second game that pitted Brewers left-hander Shane Drohan (4-2, 2.97 ERA) against Pirates right-hander Bubba Chandler (3-8, 4.82 ERA), in a rookie-versus-rookie matchup that followed the day’s dramatic afternoon twist.
Valdez’s performance stands out as a standout moment in a season still shaping into one of discovery for the Pirates. His two-homer night, highlighted by the seventh-inning grand slam, energized Pittsburgh’s lineup and provided a memorable reminder that rookie contributions can swiftly shift the balance of a tightly contested game.
AP MLB coverage and updates continue to unfold as the league’s season progresses. For ongoing MLB news, scores, and deeper context, visit AP MLB coverage resources.