Esmerlyn Valdez Makes MLB History with Clutch Hits, Fueling Pirates' Sweep of Brewers
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Esmerlyn Valdez Makes MLB History with Clutch Hits, Fueling Pirates' Sweep of Brewers originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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Over the weekend, Pirates outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez created a unique slice of MLB doubleheader history at PNC Park.
After clubbing clinching home runs in Games 1 and 2 of Saturday's doubleheader sweep of the Brewers, Valdez became the league's first player to compile four go-ahead hits, including three go-ahead homers, during a twin bill.
In the opener, Valdez launched two homers and drove in a career-best six runs, powering the 7-6 win. The cleanup hitter for much of July, Valdez started the scoring with an RBI single, driving in Jake Mangum, who was hit by Brandon Sproat's 97-mph four-seam fastball.
Breaking a 2-2 tie in the third, the 22-year-old slugger connected on a 421-foot solo homer, and Sproat exited the game after just three innings of work.
Trailing 6-3 in the seventh, Valdez delivered a game-sealing grand slam off Aaron Ashby, whose 99-mph sinker was delivered to the middle of the zone. It was Valdez's first multi-homer outing.
GRAND SLAM ESMERLYN VALDEZ ‼️
— MLB (@MLB) July 11, 2026
His second homer of the day and the @Pirates have the lead! pic.twitter.com/IC7oCcZNKv
His nightcap homer, a two-run shot, opened the scoring in the fourth inning of Game 2, fueling the 3-2 victory.
Valdez joined a fraternity of four players aged 22 or under to total at least 10 homers and 25 RBIs in their opening 27 games, joining Yordan Alvarez (2019), Austin Riley (2019) and George Scott (1966).