Valdez HR again, Pirates sweep DH from Brewers

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Bryan Reynolds drove in the game-decider in the sixth inning and Esmerlyn Valdez hit his third home run of the day in a Pirates 3-2 win, sweeping a doubleheader from Milwaukee Saturday.

Reynolds now with 58 RBI after knocking in Brandon Lowe and Valdez reached double-digit home runs in just his 28^th MLB game. Valdez drove in Reynolds with a shot into the left field rotunda in the fourth inning. Valdez drove in eight on the day.

Bubba alright

Right-hander Bubba Chandler had his best start in his last couple giving up two runs over 4.2 innings on five hits, three walks and six strikeouts. He threw 97 pitches, 57 strikes and finishes the ceremonial first half of the season 3-8 with a 4.77 ERA.

Clean sheet Santana

Righty reliever Dennis Santana had his second perfect inning of the month in the seventh against Turang, Bauers and Sanchez. Santana had given up six runs in his last two outings which lasted two innings.

1^st impression

Left-handed reliever Brandon Eisert didn’t arrive until the first game of the doubleheader. He was activated before game two and pitched with a runner at second in a tied game in the fifth. Eisert walked the first two to load the bases, but got Garrett Mitchell on a weak grounder back at him for the final out.

Eisert came with infielder Jacob Gonzalez from the White Sox for a minor league left-handed reliever and the Pirates first-round compensatory pick in this year’s MLB Draft.

Pirates bullpen (also with Yohan Ramirez, Isaac Mattson & Mason Montgomery--earning the save striking out William Contreras looking to end it) throw 4.2 scoreless innings.

Valdez drives in 6 as Pirates win Game 1

Up Next

The ceremonial first half of the season ends with the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes (7-8. 3.58 ERA) against the favorite to win it this year, Jacob Misiorowski (10-4, 1.62 ERA). It’s an early game with the North Shore Tavern Leadoff Show with Dan Zangrilli at 10:40, The Pirates Insider Show with Jason Mackey at 11:15 including GM Ben Cherington and first pitch at 12:15 on 93.7 The Fan.