Esmerlyn Valdez delivered a go-ahead grand slam and drove in six runs, powering the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the first game of a Saturday doubleheader. This decisive individual effort set the tone for a sweep, as the Pirates secured a 3-2 win in the second contest. Valdez hit his second home run of the first game in the seventh inning, reclaiming the lead for Pittsburgh after his initial homer had established a 3-2 advantage in the third. Braxton Ashcraft contributed five innings for Pittsburgh, allowing five runs on five hits and striking out six. Gregory Soto then navigated a bases-loaded situation in the top of the ninth, securing his 12th save. Brewers starter Brandon Sproat yielded three runs on two hits and struck out three before his third-inning departure. Jake Bauers and Sal Frelick each produced homers for Milwaukee.
In the second game, Bryan Reynolds’ 2-for-3 performance included the go-ahead run batted in for Pittsburgh. Bubba Chandler worked 4 2/3 innings, limiting the Brewers to two runs on five hits while striking out six. Valdez added another homer, marking his third straight game with a home run. Shane Drohan (4-3) allowed three runs on five hits and struck out six over 6 1/3 innings for Milwaukee, which has now lost three of its past four games after an 8-2 run in its previous 10 outings.
Player Contributions Drive Victories
Elsewhere, Chase Meidroth’s sixth-inning RBI double lifted the White Sox over the visiting Athletics 1-0. Meidroth finished 2-for-3, while Luisangel Acuna also contributed two hits. Five Chicago pitchers combined their efforts for a four-hit shutout. Erick Fedde (5-6) earned the win, allowing two hits and no runs over four innings, walking one and striking out three. Athletics starter Gage Jump (3-4) allowed one run on five hits, walked two, and struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings. Joshua Kuroda-Grauer went 2-for-4 with a double, and Jacob Wilson also produced two hits, including a triple.
Andruw Monasterio and Masataka Yoshida each contributed two-run homers, driving the Boston Red Sox to a 4-0 victory over the Mets. This offensive output extended Boston's winning streak to eight games. A collective effort from five Red Sox pitchers resulted in a three-hit shutout. Jovani Moran (2-2) secured the win with 1 2/3 scoreless innings, and fill-in starter Eduardo Rivera delivered 3 2/3 scoreless innings in only his second major league appearance. Rivera allowed one hit, walked two, and struck out three. Freddy Peralta (5-8) took the loss, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks in 4 1/3 innings. The Mets failed to convert opportunities, going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranding nine.
Victor Caratini’s double down the left field line scored Royce Lewis for the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh, securing a 5-3 win for the Twins against the Angels in Minneapolis. Lewis had earlier produced a two-run homer. Minnesota’s seventh inning saw two runs scored via Lewis’ double, Caratini’s double, and Alan Roden’s run-scoring single. Joe Ryan allowed two runs on six hits with six strikeouts and two walks in six innings for Minnesota. Ryan Johnson gave up three runs and three hits over five innings for the Angels, walking three and striking out one.
Collective Efforts on the Diamond
Steven Kwan’s two-out, two-strike, two-run double, coupled with a run-saving defensive play, led the Guardians to a 4-1 victory over the Marlins. Patrick Bailey added a two-out, two-strike, two-run double in the eighth for insurance. Tanner Bibee (3-9) earned the win with a quality start, allowing five hits, four walks, and one run in 6 2/3 innings. Eury Perez (5-7) took the loss after allowing eight hits, two walks, and two runs in six innings.
Casey Schmitt’s three-run homer in the sixth inning broke a 1-1 tie, propelling the Giants past the Rockies 4-2. Heliot Ramos and Luis Arraez opened the inning with singles before Schmitt hit his 19th homer, tying him for the team lead. Arraez finished 2-for-4. Tyler Mahle (2-8) allowed one run on five hits over seven innings, and J.T. Brubaker pitched the final two innings for his first career save. Kyle Karros homered and Mickey Moniak went 2-for-4 for Colorado. Starter Kyle Freeland (2-8) gave up four runs and six hits in six innings.
The Yankees defeated the Nationals 4-2 after Ryan McMahon, Trent Grisham, and Paul Goldschmidt hit eighth-inning homers. New York had rallied from three runs down in the ninth inning Friday night and struck earlier Saturday. Trailing 2-0, McMahon homered off Orlando Ribalta. Grisham followed with a two-run shot after Ben Rice walked, and Goldschmidt hit his 15th homer of the season. Brent Headrick (5-1) got the win and David Bednar earned his 18th save. James Wood had three hits, including a homer, and Curtis Mead also homered and singled for Washington, which recorded its 27th blown save of the season.
The Daily Production of Results
Jonathan Aranda’s three hits, including the go-ahead run batted in, secured a 6-1 victory for the Rays over the Mariners in St. Petersburg, Fla. This performance claimed their final home series before the All-Star break. Aranda went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a run, including a third-inning double that scored Yandy Diaz to break a 1-1 tie. Pinch hitter Ryan Vilade hit a three-run homer in the seventh. Ben Williamson went 4-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a run, and a stolen base as Tampa Bay improved its majors-best home record to 35-14. Griffin Jax (5-6) allowed one run on four hits in five innings for the Rays. Logan Gilbert (7-6) gave up four runs on nine hits with five strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings for Seattle, which lost its fifth straight.
J.T. Realmuto’s two-run double and All-Star Cristopher Sanchez’s seven-plus strong innings ended the Tigers' six-game winning streak, securing a 4-2 win for the Phillies in Detroit. Sanchez (11-4) allowed two runs and 10 hits while striking out seven, recovering from his previous outing. Jhoan Duran recorded his 24th save with a perfect ninth. Eduardo Valencia homered and Matt Vierling went 3-for-3 and scored for Detroit. Casey Mize (4-6) allowed all four runs, three earned, on five hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Kyle Bradish carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning as the Orioles defeated the Royals 6-1, extending their winning streak to three games. Bradish (6-9) completed 6 2/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits. Jac Caglianone broke up the no-hit bid with a single as the first batter in the seventh and later scored on Salvador Perez’s sacrifice fly. Pete Alonso hit a two-run homer, and Coby Mayo, Taylor Ward, and Gunnar Henderson each contributed solo shots for Baltimore, which snapped a four-series losing streak at Camden Yards. Noah Cameron (5-7) struck out nine in seven innings but allowed five runs on five hits.
Lars Nootbaar launched a three-run home run in the first inning and Matthew Liberatore tossed six scoreless innings, helping the Cardinals beat the Braves 4-1 in St. Louis. Liberatore (5-6) allowed four hits, struck out six, and walked one. Reynaldo Lopez (4-2) allowed four runs on five hits in five innings, striking out three and walking one. Mauricio Dubon homered for Atlanta, which saw its lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East reduced to two games. The Braves dropped their fifth game in seven tries.
LaMonte Wade Jr. hit his first career grand slam and Yordan Alvarez hit his AL-leading 31st home run as the Astros defeated the Rangers 9-3 in Arlington, Texas. Christian Vazquez also homered for Houston. Peter Lambert (8-5) allowed one run on three hits over six innings, striking out seven and walking one. Ezequiel Duran drove in all three Texas runs with two home runs. Kumar Rocker (2-8) gave up three homers and seven runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Alex Bregman hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning as the Cubs beat the Reds 5-3 in Cincinnati. Carson Kelly added a solo homer and Michael Busch had three hits for Chicago. Drew Pomeranz (2-3) got the win despite allowing a run on two hits in the sixth. Caleb Thielbar and Jacob Webb each pitched a scoreless inning before Trent Thornton got the final out for his third save. Nathaniel Lowe, Eugenio Suarez, and JJ Bleday each hit solo homers for Cincinnati. Nick Lodolo allowed two runs on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts before leaving with a blister on his left index finger after Kelly’s leadoff homer in the sixth.