Nice Homecoming for Pirates’ Young

His teammates teased Kevin Young about coming home and taped “The Mayor” above his locker before Wednesday night’s game.

After getting three of Pittsburgh’s season-high 19 hits in a 10-3 interleague romp, he felt more like a king.

“Growing up here, watching baseball on this field since I was six years old, then to have the opportunity to come back and play here, it means a lot to me. It’s pretty special,” said Young, who was a high school star in Kansas City, Kan., and got released by the Royals in 1996.

“I saw people--I saw old coaches, people I played with in little league here. It had to be 100 people here, friends and people I’ve known from the past. It was pretty exciting.”

Mark Smith and Jose Guillen each homered as every Pirates starter hit safely. In fact, Keith Osik was the only Pittsburgh batter who did not have at least two hits.

“I don’t want to be greedy, but I sure wish we could spread those hits out over a few nights,” manager Gene Lamont said.

Smith connected off Glendon Rusch (5-9) for a three-run shot in the third inning and Guillen had a two-run homer in the eighth.