Pirates rookie Esmerlyn Valdez establishes MLB go-ahead hitting history versus Brewers

Jul 12, 2026 - 03:00

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Pirates rookie Esmerlyn Valdez establishes MLB go-ahead hitting history versus Brewers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Twenty-seven games into Esmerlyn Valdez's career, the Pittsburgh Pirates' right fielder 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 Milwaukee Brewers, Valdez became the league's first player to compile four go-ahead hits, including three homers, during a twinbill.

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 lead-off batter 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 of Sproat.

Trailing 6-3 in the seventh, Valdez delivered a game-sealing grand slam off Aaron Ashby (12-2), whose 99-mph sinker was delivered to the middle of the zone. It was Valdez's first multi-homer outing.

His nightcap homer, a two-run shot, opened the scoring in the fourth inning, fueling the 3-2 victory.

In just 90 MLB at-bats, Valdez collected 10 homers, 26 RBI and 1.092 OPS.

Valdez joined a fraternity of four players aged 22 or under to amass at least 10 homers, 25 RBI in their opening 27 games, joining Yordan Alvarez (2019), Austin Riley (2019) and George Scott (1966).

Valdez's 10 homers are three more than any franchise player through 27 appearances.