Esmerlyn Valdez powers Pirates to 7-1 win over Guardians with ninth‑inning two‑run homer

Pittsburgh rookie outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez hit a two‑run home run in the ninth inning to seal a 7‑1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on July 19. The blast made Valdez only the fourth player in Major League history to record at least 12 home runs and 31 RBIs in his first 31 games, joining Rhys Hoskins, Aristides Aquino and Will Smith. He has logged a .370 average with 18 extra‑base hits and 27 RBIs over his most recent 22‑game stretch, the first Pirate to string together an extra‑base hit and an RBI in seven consecutive games since Willie Stargell in 1971.

The Pirates’ win was capped by Paul Skenes, who allowed one run and struck out eight over seven innings, improving his record to 9‑8 with a 2.46 ERA. Billy Cook contributed three hits and two RBIs, while Nick Gonzales added two doubles. The victory gave Pittsburgh a 5‑1 edge in the inter‑league series against Cleveland and moved the club to 11‑4 over its last 15 games. Valdez’s breakout performance has drawn league‑wide attention and places him among the season’s most productive rookies.