Esmerlyn Valdez's first grand slam pushes the Pirates past the Brewers in the first game of a doubleheader

PITTSBURGH - The Esmerlyn Valdez emergence took on another sparkling moment Saturday afternoon.

With one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, Valdez smacked an opposite field grand slam - the first of his young career - to help lift the Pirates to a 7-6 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the first game of a doubleheader at PNC Park.

Valdez hit two home runs and ultimately accounted for six of the Pirates' seven runs.

"I did not imagine a day like this," Valdez said, with major league coach Stephen Morales translating. "But nothing is impossible. And today went my way."

Newly minted All-Star Braxton Ashcraft (9-3, 3.49 ERA) gave up five hits and five runs - including two homers - across five innings. The Pirates quickly chased Brewers starter Brandon Sproat (3-4, 5.18) following three innings in which he threw 83 pitches.

They scored two runs in the first, one from a Valdez RBI single and the other from an error by Brewers third baseman Joey Ortiz.

Ashcraft got tagged in the second on a two-run home run from Jake Bauers, but Valdez gave the Pirates the lead back in the third with a solo homer to center field.

In the fifth, Ashcraft gave up two consecutive doubles and a home run to Sal Frelick, whose two-run shot put the Brewers up 5-3. The National League Central leaders added another run in the top of the seventh off a William Contreras RBI single, but Valdez's grand slam in the bottom of the frame put the Pirates back in front.

Gregory Soto took over in the ninth and loaded the bases with one out, but he escaped the jam after inducing a double play off the bat of Andrew Vaughn.

It was over when …

Soto got Vaughn to ground into a game-ending double play.

On the mound

Ashcraft was shaky in his final start before the break. He threw 37 pitches in his fifth and final inning and ended the day with 98, tied for his second most this season. He's now given up six home runs in his last three starts.

Pirates manager Don Kelly mentioned Ashcraft's workload Friday afternoon, saying it's "something we'll need to monitor and be mindful of." Through 19 starts, Ashcraft has thrown 113 1/3 innings - and his career-high was 118 across Triple-A Indianapolis and the majors last season.

"Overall, my body feels better right now than it did at the beginning of last year," Ashcraft said. "That's a testament to the routine that I've had."

Carmen Mlodzinski issued two walks and gave up his first run since June 10, but he earned the win and gave the Pirates critical length with his three innings.

At the plate

Valdez went 3 for 4 with two home runs. The 22-year-old now has nine home runs and 24 RBIs in 26 games since being called up from Triple-A Indianapolis on May 22. He's batting .314 with a 1.084 OPS.

"It's electric," Ashcraft said. "They don't call him The Magician for no reason. ... You know something special is going to happen. You know that's the type of player that he's made a name for himself as, and in a very short period of time. It's cool to be a part of."

Bucs bites

- To make room for recent trade acquisitions Jacob Gonzalez and Brandon Eisert on the 40-man roster, the Pirates transferred Konnor Griffin from the 10-day to the 60-day injured list and designated right-handed reliever Cam Sanders for assignment Saturday morning.

- Wilber Dotel's rehab assignment was transferred to Triple-A Indianapolis as he works back from a right lat muscle strain. Dotel (15-day injured list) threw two scoreless innings and struck out four with Double-A Altoona on Tuesday.

Up next

Bubba Chandler (3-8, 4.82) will get the ball for the second game of the doubleheader as the Pirates aim to clinch a series win, and Shane Drohan (4-2, 2.97) will start for the Brewers.

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This story was originally published July 11, 2026 at 1:31 PM.