Pirates red-hot rookie Esmerlyn Valdez tallies 3 home runs, 8 RBI in doubleheader vs. Brewers

Rookie right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez has been lighting up the scoreboard since his debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

On Saturday, the Pirates played a doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers and won both games largely thanks to their star rookie.

Valdez hit two home runs in Game 1 and followed it up with another dinger in Game 2. The rookie now has 10 home runs in his first 27 games, the most by any Pirates player in their first 27 games.

The rookie started his day with a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning. It was his second home run in as many days, which was already impressive.

Valdez came up with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning. He quickly cleared them with a grand slam, helping Pittsburgh take the lead.

The right fielder came to the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning of Game 2. The game was tied 0-0 until he launched a two-run home run, his third of the day.

Overall, on Saturday, Valdez went 4-8 with 3 home runs, 8 RBI and 3 runs. The rookie nearly hit for the home run cycle between the two games, but was missing the three-run home run.

The right fielder is now hitting .330 with 10 home runs and 26 RBI.

The Pirates won both games on Saturday, taking the first 7-6 and the second 3-2. Pittsburgh moves to 49-47 on the year and has a chance to sweep Milwaukee in its final game ahead of the All-Star break on Sunday.