Framber Valdez led the Houston Astros to a shutout victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Houston with 93 pitches, including 65 strikes en route to the 321st no-hitter in MLB history.
In Tuesday’s 2-0 victory at Minute Maid Park, Valdez faced 27 batters while throwing seven strikes and one walk. His season ERA decreased as a result of the flawless performance from 3.29 to 3.07. Over his previous five appearances, he had a 7.00 ERA.
“Obviously, I had a couple of rough starts before this one and, for me, the biggest thing was just continue working hard, continue with my focus and knowing that I was going to be able to get back to where I was before then,” Valdez told reporters.
Valdez joins Domingo German, who pitched a perfect game for the New York Yankees in June, as the only pitcher this season to throw a single no-hitter.
Tuesday’s game was opened with the left-handed pitcher retiring the first twelve Guardians batters in order. Kyle Tucker’s two-run single to center field in the bottom of the third inning gave the Astros their lone runs of the contest.
In the top of the fifth, Valdez gave the designated hitter for the Guardians, Oscar Gonzalez, his lone walk. The following 14 hitters were all retired by him in order. After facing Gonzalez, he got first baseman David Fry to fly out. Then Will Brennan of the Guardians grounded into a double play. Over the final five innings, Valdez only threw one strikeout.
He got Guardians catcher Cam Gallagher to line out to close the bottom of the ninth, securing the 16th no-hitter in Astros history.
At 2:10 p.m. EDT on Wednesday in Houston, the Astros (61-47) will play host to the Guardians (53-55) in the series finale.
