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Taillon: Brewers' Perez is a 'Latin Babe Ruth'

Benny Sieu / USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

He couldn't remember the exact numbers, but Jameson Taillon - the highly touted Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander enjoying a fine rookie season - recalled earlier this year that he "owned" Milwaukee Brewers newcomer Hernan Perez when the two were coming up through the minor leagues.

On Saturday, though, after Perez took Taillon deep twice en route to his first career multi-homer game, even Taillon had to admit the tables have turned.

"He's a Latin Babe Ruth or something like that," Taillon said of Perez after the Pirates grabbed a 9-6 victory over Milwaukee at Miller Park.

Taillon isn't the only pitcher regarding Perez with greater esteem these days, though.

After stumbling through a rough rookie season in 2015, split between Milwaukee and the Detroit Tigers, the versatile 25-year-old has found himself in the midst of a breakout campaign, as Perez - who boasts a .778 OPS this year - is hitting .292/.320/.534 with 10 homers and 16 stolen bases since July 5.

"He's always been a good hitter," Taillon continued. "He's always put together good at-bats. I felt like I had pretty good success against him in the Minor Leagues. I've done it to myself. I threw him a flat 0-1 changeup tonight (in the first inning, when Perez hit a three-run home run) and then I fell behind him (in the third, when Perez hit a solo shot).

As Perez was quick to point out, though, minor-league numbers don't mean diddly anymore. In seven MLB plate appearances against Taillon, who made his MLB debut June 8, Perez is 5-for-7 (.714) with three homers.

"Now it counts," Perez said. "I'm watching the ball good against him and going with a plan to the plate."

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