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Valdez’s Grand Slam Powers Pirates to 7-6 Sweep

7/12/2026

Summary

Valdez Grand Slam

Esmerlyn Valdez hit a grand slam off Aaron Ashby (12-2) and a homer, delivering six RBIs in the Pirates' 7-6 win.
The slam erased a 6-3 deficit, gave Pittsburgh the lead, and completed a sweep that put the Pirates ahead 2-0 despite homers by Jake Bauers and Sal Frelick.
Braxton Ashcraft (9-3, 3.24 ERA) allowed five runs while Gregory Soto earned his 12th save and Bubba Chandler limited Milwaukee to two runs.

Summary

Pirates Draft Curiel

After trading Competitive Balance Round A (34th) pick to White Sox for Jacob Gonzalez and Brandon Eisert, Pirates, with a $16,000,000 bonus pool, used the 5th pick on LSU outfielder Derek Curiel, a .353 hitter and All-American.
Pirates drafted shortstop Aiden Ruiz (44th, $2,278,700), second baseman Chris Rembert (51st, $1,938,100).
Jason DeCaro (80th, $1,035,700) posted a 2.87 ERA at UNC while Andruw Giles (108th, $725,900) hit .409/.606/.935 as a senior.

History

Historical Context

In 1979 the Pittsburgh Pirates, led by 38-year-old Willie Stargell, rallied from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 in the World Series, finishing the regular season 98-64. That comeback marked the franchise’s last championship and began a 47-year World Series drought, a backdrop that frames today’s aggressive draft moves and hopes for a similar resurgence.

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Valdez Grand Slam

Esmerlyn Valdez hit a grand slam off Aaron Ashby (12-2) and a homer, delivering six RBIs in the Pirates' 7-6 win.
The slam erased a 6-3 deficit, gave Pittsburgh the lead, and completed a sweep that put the Pirates ahead 2-0 despite homers by Jake Bauers and Sal Frelick.
Braxton Ashcraft (9-3, 3.24 ERA) allowed five runs while Gregory Soto earned his 12th save and Bubba Chandler limited Milwaukee to two runs.

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