The Pittsburgh Pirates completed a three-game series sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers following a 14-5 victory Sunday at PNC Park. Paul Skenes won his second straight start after a 9-game winless slide. He allowed two runs on three hits while striking out seven. Skenes pitched into the sixth inning. Pirates manager Don Kelly pulled his star pitcher after he recorded the first out of the sixth after the Pirates had blown the game open with a 10-run fourth inning.
Catcher Henry Davis drove in three runs and scored three times in the game. He and Marcel Ozuna hit their eighth home runs of the season during the game. The Bucs had 15 hits overall.
After a Friday night rainout, the Bucs swept a Saturday doubleheader from Milwaukee with a pair of one-run victories. They opened with a 7-6 win thanks to right-fielder Esmerlyn Valdez, who hit two home runs, including a seventh inning grand slam. He ended with six RBI’s. The Pirates won Game 2 3-2, thanks in part to a Valdez two-run home run in the fourth inning. For the doubleheader, Valdez went 4-for-8 with three home runs and eight RBI’s. Since being called up from the minor league’s on May 11th, Valdez is hitting .311 with 10 home runs and 26 RBI’s over his first 27 games.
The Pirates are now off for the All-Star Break. They will visit Cleveland Friday night.
With the sweep of the Brewers, the Pirates hit the break at 50-47 overall. They now trail Milwaukee by 9-1/2 games in the N.L. Central. The Pirates are two games out of a Wild Card spot.
The All-Star Game will be played tomorrow night in Philadelphia. The Home Run Derby will be held tonight.