PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – In the same week Ryan O’Hearn homered three times and drove in 10 in a game at PNC Park, rookie Esmerlyn Valdez hit a go-ahead grand slam along with an earlier home run and drove in 7 as the Pirates came back to beat Milwaukee in Game 1 of a doubleheader Saturday 7-6.
Since his recall on June 11, Valdez has raised his average 195 points and his slugging percentage 237 points. It was his first career grand slam and also the rookie’s first career two home run game.
Manufacturing 1st
Jake Mangum hit as the leadoff batter, Bryan Reynolds hit by a pitch after eight foul balls, seven in a row in a 10-pitch at bat. Valdez’s single gave him 19 RBI for the season and an error by Joey Ortiz at third on a Nick Gonzales grounder allowed Reynolds to score. Brandon Sproat threw 34 pitches in the first inning.
Ashcraft mid
Some Jekyll and Hyde innings for Braxton Ashcraft, perfect innings in the first, third and fourth, but gave up a two-run homer to Jake Bauers and allowed five base runners (two walks) in the fifth and another home run, Sal Frelick with his fourth of the season drove in two. Ashcraft left after five innings, five hits, five earned runs, two walks and six strikeouts, 64 of his 98 pitches were strikes.
It’s the first time in a month Ashcraft lasted only five innings. It’s the second time in three starts he’s given up five runs.
Carmen Mlodzinski gave up a run over three innings of relief for the win. Gregory Soto came on, loaded the bases but got a double play to end the game.
Pirates take LSU outfielder in 1st round of MLB Draft
Game 2
Pitchers for Game 2 of the doubleheader—rookie LHP Shane Drohan (4-2, 2.97 ERA) for Milwaukee against Pirates righty Bubba Chandler (3-8, 4.82 ERA).
His 1st career grand slam and 7 RBI in Bucs win
His 1st career grand slam and 7 RBI in Bucs win
