Framber Valdez caps off great day for Astros with no-hitter

Tuesday ended up being a fairly big day for the Houston Astros.

After re-acquiring Justin Verlander in a blockbuster commerce to strengthen their World Collection possibilities, Framber Valdez pitched a no-hitter for the group in a 2-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians.

It’s the third no-hitter of the 2023 MLB season, and it was an absolute gem from Valdez.

He not solely held the Guardians and not using a hit, however he walked only one batter, struck out seven and accomplished the sport on solely 93 pitches. He threw 65 of them for strikes.

Valdez additionally grew to become the primary left-handed pitcher to ever throw a no-hitter for the Astros, whereas it was caught by Martin Maldonado. The latter level is essential as a result of it’s the third no-hitter that Maldonado has caught in his profession, placing him only one shy of the key league file for many no-hitters caught. 

Whereas that efficiency capped off an incredible day for the Astros, it had the precise reverse affect for the Guardians.

Cleveland, who entered the day only a recreation out of first place in a wide-open American League Central, not solely didn’t add any gamers to assist them of their push, additionally they traded Josh Bell to the Miami Marlins, additional weakening what’s already one of many worst lineups in baseball.

The Guardians rank twenty fourth in Main League Baseball in group OPS and runs scored. 

Verlander’s return will rightfully get plenty of consideration in Houston, however Valdez is one heck of a pitcher himself, and he supplied one other reminder of that on Tuesday. He has been the most effective starters within the league for the previous 5 years and leads a dominant rotation in Houston.