Buc Notes-HR magic, Ross 1st, O’Hearn grand slam

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates scored the most runs in a game since the All-Star Break Sunday holding on to win the final game of the Cubs series 8-7 at PNC Park.

You can do magic

Esmerlyn Valdez hit his 14^th home run to lead off the second inning starting the Bucs scoring and added an RBI single in the fifth for his 11^th multi-RBI game of his rookie season. He also made a diving catch to his right to start the seventh inning.

1^st start bomb

A former NAIA player and non-roster invitee by the Pirates before Spring Training, catcher Shawn Ross made his first MLB start. In his second MLB at bat, Ross hit a 438-foot home run into the second deck in left field to give the Pirates a 3-0 lead.

2-time granny

For the second time this month Ryan O’Hearn hit a grand slam. He did so with one out in the third inning scoring Brandon Lowe, Bryan Reynolds and Valdez. On July 7, O’Hearn hit a grand slam as part of a historic 10-RBI night. It’s the fourth of his career and it gives him the team RBI lead with 68.

Seth Hernandez dealing with injury

Jamo struggles

One of the nicest people in the game, 2010 Pirates first-round pick Jameson Taillon had another bad start for the Cubs. In two starts in July he’s given up 11 hits, four walks and 11 runs with nine strikeouts over 8.1 innings. His season ERA is now 5.92 and his WHIP is 1.36.

Endy Rodriguez & Spencer Horwitz to be evaluated in Pittsburgh

Notes

• Braxton Ashcraft didn’t give up a home run for the first time in four starts going 6 innings, 7 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts for his team-high 10^th win of the season
• Pirates held a 7-1 lead, Mason Montgomery got the save giving up a two-run homer in the ninth inning
• Struggling for much of July, Brandon Lowe had his first multi-hit game since July 18 and broke a 1 for 17 slump with three hits
• 21-year-old shortstop Jhonny Severino hit his 24^th home run in High A Greensboro. At the time of the homer, he led the South Atlantic League in both home runs and RBIs (73)

Up Next

Arizona holds the final Wild Card spot and makes its only trip to PNC Park starting Monday. RHP Merrill Kelly (8-8, 5.12 ERA) against Pirates righty Mitch Keller (6-7, 4.90 ERA) coming off five scoreless innings at the Yankees. Dan Zangrilli hosts the North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show at 5:45 with first pitch at 6:40 on 93.7 The Fan.