Framber Valdez pitches no-hitter vs Guardians on 93 pitches - Astros

Framber Valdez throws a no-hitter for the Houston Astros, the team's 16th in history, in a 2-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians.

On Tuesday night, Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros threw the 16th no-hitter in the team's history, leading them to a 2-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. Valdez, determined to improve after a subpar July, came into the game focused and ready to leave it all on the field. He allowed just one baserunner on a walk in the fifth inning, but still faced the minimum thanks to a double play. Valdez threw 93 pitches, with 65 strikes, showcasing his dominance on the mound.

Manager Dusty Baker praised Valdez's performance, noting that he had his breaking ball from the very beginning and stayed on top of his game. Valdez's teammate, catcher Martín Maldonado, caught the third no-hitter of his career and could tell from Valdez's warmup that he was in for a special night. Valdez relied heavily on groundouts, as he entered the game leading the American League in groundball percentage. His curveball was especially effective, according to Cleveland manager Terry Francona.

This no-hitter is the third in the majors this season, following perfect games by Domingo Germán of the New York Yankees and a combined no-hitter by the Detroit Tigers. It is Houston's first no-hitter in the regular season since 2022, and the first by a single pitcher since Justin Verlander in 2019. Interestingly, the Astros reacquired Verlander from the New York Mets earlier in the day, making it a special coincidence that Valdez threw a no-hitter on the same day Verlander returned to the team.

Offensively, Kyle Tucker provided the only runs of the game with a two-run single in the third inning. Valdez retired the first 12 batters he faced, with six strikeouts, before allowing a walk in the fifth. However, he still faced the minimum in that inning thanks to a double play. Valdez continued to dominate, retiring all three batters in the seventh and striking out one in the eighth. He finished the game strong, retiring the final three batters on groundouts.

This impressive performance comes after Valdez had a rough outing in his last start, allowing eight hits and six runs in just 3 2/3 innings. However, he bounced back in a big way, showcasing his talent and determination on the mound. The Astros are currently chasing the Texas Rangers for first place in the AL West, and Valdez's no-hitter adds to the team's momentum as they strive for success.

Overall, Valdez's no-hitter was a remarkable feat, highlighting his skill as a pitcher and his ability to bounce back from a tough month. The Astros and their fans celebrated this historic moment, and Valdez's teammates and coaches praised his performance. It was truly a special day for Valdez, the Astros, and their fans, and a great way to welcome Verlander back to the team.