Jared Triolo’s Pujols-Like Homer Powers Pirates to Series Victory in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS — Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly could not hide his excitement after Jared Triolo launched a towering home run into the third deck at Busch Stadium on Sunday.

Kelly compared the impressive blast to something he might have seen from legendary slugger Albert Pujols.

“That was unbelievable,” Kelly said. “That was Albert Pujols-esque right there, going to Big Mac Land. That was impressive.”

The comparison was certainly notable. Triolo entered the game with just three home runs in the majors this season, while Pujols finished his legendary career with 703 home runs. Although both players stand 6-foot-3, Triolo has primarily made his mark as a versatile, defense-first utility player rather than a power hitter.

Still, Triolo delivered a memorable moment when his fifth-inning solo homer soared into the third deck, helping the Pirates secure a 5-4, series-clinching victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

 

“That’s pretty cool,” Triolo said after hearing Kelly’s comparison. “I don’t know about that. But pretty cool mention.”

Triolo’s home run was one of two long balls for Pittsburgh. Esmerlyn Valdez also launched a two-run homer in the second inning, narrowly keeping the ball fair of the right-field foul pole.

Both home runs came against Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore.

The victory continued a strong stretch for the Pirates, who have now won four of their last five series. However, because their only series loss during that span came in a sweep, Pittsburgh is 8-7 over those 15 games.

Valdez’s second-inning homer gave the Pirates their first runs of the afternoon, bringing Brandon Lowe home from second base.

Valdez showed plenty of emotion as he celebrated the blast, putting on the welder’s helmet for only the second time since July 27.

“It felt good, for sure, to hit that ball,” Valdez said. “I’ve been trying to do my best the whole time just to contribute to the team and help the team win.”

Pittsburgh added another run in the third inning after a defensive mistake by St. Louis.

Oneil Cruz doubled and later scored after Cardinals third baseman Ramón Urías dropped what appeared to be a routine popup off the bat of Lowe. Cruz was already racing toward home when the ball hit the ground.

The Cardinals eventually began to fight back after falling behind 4-0.

Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft cruised through the first four innings before encountering trouble in the fifth. With two outs, Thomas Saggese started the rally with a single and finished the afternoon 3-for-4 with two runs scored.

St. Louis followed with two more singles and a walk, cutting into Pittsburgh’s advantage with two runs.

Ashcraft eventually escaped the inning, but his afternoon was over after just 71 pitches.

Despite the Cardinals’ late push, Pittsburgh held on to secure the series win, with Triolo’s remarkable home run standing out as one of the biggest moments of the game.