Esmeryln Valdez Continues Hot Start

CLEVELAND (AP) — Esmerlyn Valdez’s strong start to his major league career is showing no signs of slowing down. The Pittsburgh Pirates rookie outfielder’s two-run homer in the ninth inning of Sunday’s 7-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians made him the fourth player in major league history with at least 12 homers and 31 RBIs in their first 31 games. The 22-year-old Valdez, nicknamed “The Magician” because his first name sounds like Merlin, has hit safely in 19 of his past 22 games He is the first Pirates hitter with an extra-base hit and RBI in seven straight games since Willie Stargell in 1971.