Pirates turn to magic to solve clutch-hitting problems against Phillies

PHILADELPHIA — Despite their overall offensive production, the Pirates have experienced issues this season hitting with runners in scoring position.

In the finale of a four-game series in Philadelphia on Thursday, they turned to magic for help.

Esmerlyn Valdez, a rookie nicknamed “The Magician,” came up clutch in several situations and drove in three runs during a 6-1 victory over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park that ensured a series split.

Appearing in just his 19th MLB game, Valdez drove in runs in the fifth (single), seventh (triple) and eighth (sacrifice fly), while the Jared Jones-Carmen Mlodzinski pairing — back together again — combined for seven innings of one-run ball.

“Fantastic. Huge,” Jake Mangum said, describing the impact Valdez, just 22, has made. “We’ve been talking about it in here. Great player, man.”

Mangum finished with three hits, including a double, and scored twice. Nick Gonzales also had three, while Gonzales and Endy Rodriguez homered for a Pirates team that improved to 44-44 ahead of a weekend series in Washington at Nationals Park.

They’re now 21-22 on the road this season after going 27-54 away from PNC Park in 2025.

“Complete game,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “Looking at this game and series, really proud of the guys for the way we competed. I think it’s something we’ve shown throughout the year, especially against a really good team like that. We’ve shown we’re a good team, too.”

Gregory Soto and Mason Montgomery finished the game to give the Pirates some rare, smooth sailing from their bullpen. But the big story was Valdez, who has been terrific since returning to the big leagues in mid-June.

After Pittsburgh left nine through the first six innings, Valdez gave the Pirates the lead with his first MLB triple in the seventh inning. It came on a 1-0 sinker located middle-away. Valdez scorched it at 112.7 mph for his three-bagger at any level since July 26, 2025, when he was with Double-A Altoona.

“I saw the ball get in the gap,” Valdez said, with Major League coach Stephen Morales translating. “I think I was running hard. I couldn’t feel my legs.”

Maybe not. But Valdez did feel a sense of satisfaction by helping the cause. Especially after he hit into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded in the third.

"I just told myself to keep a positive mindset, that there was still a lot of game left," Valdez said. "That’s what happened."

Valdez now has hits in nine of 10 (batting .485), collecting four doubles, a triple, four home runs and nine RBIs during that stretch. He’s been so good that he’s creating some down-the-line questions for the Pirates regarding their roster.

It doesn’t matter until Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz return — and probably not until after the All-Star break. But when they do get back, should Valdez keep this up, he needs to be in the lineup somewhere.

After Henry Davis and Jared Triolo, they’d seemingly have to decide between Valdez, Tyler Callihan and Marcell Ozuna for three spots, which isn’t actually a difficult decision. Callihan is a left-handed-hitting utility man. Ozuna and Valdez have redundant skill sets. But there’s also time between now and when the Pirates have to make that call.

Valdez’s triple gave the Pirates a 2-1 lead, and Gonzales upped it to 3-1 with his single up the middle two batters later. Magically, the Pirates could breathe a little easier.

"We had some opportunities to score, stayed with it throughout the game and found a way to add on," Pirates manager Don Kelly said. "I thought it was a good win."

Other offense

Rodriguez continued his recent run (.326 with seven extra-base hits over his last 14 prior to Thursday) with a solo homer in the eighth, extending Pittsburgh's lead to 4-1.

Full-count fastball middle-midle, Rodriguez hit it 395 feet to center for his second of the series and fifth of the season — all coming since June 2.

Valdez added a sacrifice fly in the eighth before Gonzales led off the ninth with a home run, connecting on a sweeper left over the middle of the plate.

Despite a shutout Tuesday, the Pirates scored 23 runs in a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park while facing Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sanchez and Zack Wheeler.

“Complete lineup, one through nine, continuing to stack at-bats together,” Kelly said. “Really proud of the way we responded [Thursday].”

On the mound

This was surely the type of bounce-back start Jones was eying after he expressed frustration following his last outing, when he allowed four runs (three earned) in 4 2/3 innings last Saturday against the Reds.

Nobody lit him up. He actually struck out a season-high six over four innings, allowing just one run.

“It feels pretty good,” Jones said. “Last one sucked, a lot. Coming in here, giving up four innings of one-run baseball feels pretty good.”

Jones threw his slider harder than usual and commanded it well. He also stayed out of the middle of the plate. One of his only mistakes was walking the No. 9 hitter, catcher Rafael Marchan, on four pitches in the third inning. Marchan entered this one with a .148 on-base percentage.

Jones paid for the mistake when Bryce Harper doubled the opposite way on an 0-1 changeup that was on the outer half to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead in the third inning.

After throwing 43 pitches in the second and third innings combined, Jones threw just 12 in the fourth, though manager Don Kelly probably wasn’t willing to push it given the heat.

“Changeup got me out of a lot of innings,” Jones said. “Curveball for first-pitch strikes was pretty good. Fastball and slider have been my bread and butter for my career. Having those two today was pretty good.”

Mlodzinski followed with three scoreless frames, allowing two hits and nothing more. It's why the Pirates feel this role can be effective. The right-hander kept his team in it, allowing time for the bats to come around.

Mlodzinski joked that it was about “150 degrees” in the bullpen and was simply happen to come in the game. But he also enjoyed playing a key role in the victory.

“I thought strike one was really important,” Mlodzinski said. “I thought the curveball was really good in terms of execution. And having a simple mindset, just attacking guys. Today was an important game for us. It was close throughout the whole outing. Had a good mindset going.”

Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH on X.