(Photo by Gene J. Puskar/AP)

In extra innings, in front of a raucous home crowd, the birthday boy delivered a no doubt two run homer to seal the game for the Pirates, 6-4 over the Phillies.

That birthday boy, now 28 years old, was Josh Palacios, who was just recently called back up to Pittsburgh a few days ago after the Carlos Santana trade. 

His return to the Pirates is certainly off to a roaring start. On Sunday, Palacios already had two hits in the game, contributing to an offense that is gaining more and more power from the youth movement. 

Swinging off a 2-0 pitch, Palacios knew it was gone as soon as he hit it, and his celebration as he rounded the bases was even more electric than the cheers of joy from the crowd. He’s earned a reputation as a high energy guy, something he showed as he hit the gritty before basketball shooting his helmet as he stepped on home plate. 

For the Pirates, this game was an example of the identity this young new potential core hopes to build on: resilience. Down 2-0 and 4-2 in this ballgame, the Pirates battled back more than once, including a crucial 10th inning stand. Henry Davis deserves a ton of credit for keeping the Pirates in a tie. His arm looks more and more powerful as his comfort level in right field continues to grow, and his bullet throw from out in right field helped Endy Rodriguez and the infield stop the Phillies from scoring. 

Palacios’ special day also earns him a spot in the history books. Josh is the only Pirates player ever to hit a walkoff home run on his birthday, and just the sixth Major League Baseball player to ever accomplish such a feat. Palacios joins Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, and Andruw Jones as the only players to do it this century. 

And as if the moment could not be any more magical, the walk off homer was his first at the major league level. 

“It was the best birthday present I could have ever got,” Palacios said after the game. 

As for the Pirates, they haven’t won many things this year, but one thing they have won is the first battle of Pennsylvania against the Phillies. 

After losing a tight 2-1 game to open the series, Pittsburgh responded with a 7-6 win in front of a sellout crowd (the night of David Bednar’s bobblehead giveaway), and an electric walk off victory today to seal the series in Pittsburgh’s favor. 

The Pirates, standing at 47-58, have now strung together two series wins in a row. 

For the Phillies, the back to back losses to a team that’s still double digits under .500 hurts, considering it sets them back in their fight with the Miami Marlins for second place in the NL East. 

Philly will have a chance for revenge in the battle of Pennsylvania at the end of the season. Pittsburgh will meet the Phillies in their final road trip of the season, starting a three game series that begins September 26th.

Whether the excitement the Pirates have been able to cobble together these last two nights is something the young kids can continue to provide, even as the 2023 season continues to sit lost at sea, is yet to be seen, but if you take Palacios’ word for it, they’re sure going to try. 

“We’re going to battle.”