The Houston Astros have done it again! On Tuesday night, Framber Valdez pitched the 16th no-hitter in Astros history, leading the team to a 2-0 victory over the Guardians. It was a remarkable performance by the young left-hander, who struck out 11 batters and allowed just one walk in the complete game shutout.
Valdez was dominant from the start, retiring the first 11 batters he faced before issuing a walk in the fourth inning. He then retired the next 14 batters in a row, finishing off his no-hitter with a strikeout of the Guardians’ cleanup hitter. It was an impressive display of control and command, as Valdez threw just 104 pitches in the complete game shutout.
The Astros offense provided just enough support for Valdez to get the win, scoring two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. George Springer led off the inning with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Jose Altuve. The other run came on an RBI single by Alex Bregman.
The win was a much-needed one for the Astros, who had lost five of their last six games coming into Tuesday night’s matchup. With Valdez’s no-hitter, they now have a record of 22-17 and are just one game behind the first-place Guardians in the American League West standings.
Valdez’s no-hitter was the 16th in Astros history and the first since Justin Verlander’s in 2019. It was also just the second no-hitter ever thrown at Minute Maid Park, with the other one coming from Bud Norris in 2009.
It was a historic night for Valdez and the Astros, and one that will be remembered for years to come. Congratulations to Framber Valdez on his incredible accomplishment!
