Esmerlyn Valdez leads Pirates to comeback win over Brewers in doubleheader opener
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 11, 2026, 7:12 PM
Last updated Jul 11, 2026
Esmerlyn Valdez hit two home runs, including a grand slam, to help the Pittsburgh Pirates rally for a 7-6 win against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 11, 2026. Valdez's two-run homer in the third inning gave Pittsburgh a short-lived lead, while his grand slam in the seventh erased a 6-3 deficit. The Brewers had taken the lead with two-run blasts from Jake Bauers and Sal Frelick earlier in the game. Pittsburgh's victory was crucial as they attempt to keep their playoff hopes alive, while the Brewers aim to maintain their strong standing in the NL Central. A second game in the doubleheader is scheduled for later today.
- •Valdez finished with three hits, six RBIs, and two home runs.
- •Braxton Ashcraft started for the Pirates, allowing five runs over five innings.
- •Carmen Mlodzinski earned the win in relief, giving up one run in three innings.
- •Brewers rookie starter Brandon Sproat allowed three runs in three innings.
- •Second game of the doubleheader features Brewers LHP Shane Drohan against RHP Bubba Chandler.
- 11:18 PMYahoo Sports — Esmerlyn Valdez homers again as Pirates edge Brewers, 3-2, sweep twinbill from NL Central leaders
- 7:40 PMYahoo Sports — Esmerlyn Valdez’s Huge Game Lifts Pirates to Comeback Win Over Brewers
- 7:09 PMYahoo Sports — Esmerlyn Valdez's grand slam, two homers lead Pirates past Brewers 7-6 in first game of doubleheader
"Esmerlyn Valdez hit a pair of home runs, including a go-ahead grand slam to lift the Pirates to a 7-6 win over the Brewers at PNC Park in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. After the Brewers loaded the bases with one out in the top of the ninth, Gregory Soto got his 12th save of the season by getting Andrew Vaughn to bounce into a game-ending double play. Vaughn hit a grounder to third baseman Nick Gonzales, who stepped on third and threw home for the third out.
"Esmerlyn Valdez hit his third home run of the day, and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers 3-2 on Saturday to sweep a doubleheader. The Pirates won the first game 7-6, as Valdez hit two home runs — including a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning — and drove in six runs. The rookie right fielder had eight RBIs in the two games and now has homered 10 times and driven in 26 runs in his first 27 career games.
"Rookie phenom Esmerlyn Valdez hit two home runs, including a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning, and drove in six runs to rally the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader. Valdez’s first homer of the day was a solo shot in the third that put the Pirates ahead 3-2.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 11, 2026, 11:18 PMEsmerlyn Valdez homers again as Pirates edge Brewers, 3-2, sweep twinbill from NL Central leaders
Esmerlyn Valdez hit his third home run of the day, and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers 3-2 on Saturday to sweep a doubleheader. The Pirates won the first game 7-6, as Valdez hit two home runs — including a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning — and drove in six runs. The rookie right fielder had eight RBIs in the two games and now has homered 10 times and driven in 26 runs in his first 27 career games.
- Yahoo SportsJul 11, 2026, 7:40 PMEsmerlyn Valdez’s Huge Game Lifts Pirates to Comeback Win Over Brewers
Esmerlyn Valdez hit a pair of home runs, including a go-ahead grand slam to lift the Pirates to a 7-6 win over the Brewers at PNC Park in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. After the Brewers loaded the bases with one out in the top of the ninth, Gregory Soto got his 12th save of the season by getting Andrew Vaughn to bounce into a game-ending double play. Vaughn hit a grounder to third baseman Nick Gonzales, who stepped on third and threw home for the third out.
- Yahoo SportsJul 11, 2026, 7:09 PMEsmerlyn Valdez's grand slam, two homers lead Pirates past Brewers 7-6 in first game of doubleheader
Rookie phenom Esmerlyn Valdez hit two home runs, including a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning, and drove in six runs to rally the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader. Valdez’s first homer of the day was a solo shot in the third that put the Pirates ahead 3-2.
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