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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — On a day in which the Astros pulled off a blockbuster trade to reunite with former ace Justin Verlander, it was the club’s current No. 1 pitcher who ended up making history.
Framber Valdez threw the 16th no-hit game in franchise history on Tuesday night in front of 41,000 fans at Minute Maid Park.
Valdez, who notched his first-career no-hitter, allowed just one walk in the fifth inning while striking out seven batters in a 2-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians.
The 29-year-old from the Dominican Republic threw just 93 pitches to complete the historic game, seeing the minimum 27 batters to do it. He’s also the first left-handed Astros starter to throw a no-hitter. Former left-handed Astros closer Billy Wagner was part of the combined no-hitter against the Yankees on June 11, 2003.
Framber Valdez threw a no-hitter for the Astros, needing only 93 pitches.That is the fewest pitches thrown in a no-hitter or perfect game since David Cone in 1999.Cone threw 88 pitches in a perfect game vs the Expos. pic.twitter.com/LqKtTPZoKV
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 2, 2023
Valdez had pitched five complete games, including two complete game shutouts before Tuesday’s gem. The no-hitter was the third in the majors this season. New York Yankees right-hander Domingo Germán pitched a perfect game at Oakland on June 28, and Matt Manning, Alex Lange and Jason Foley of the Detroit Tigers threw a combined no-no against Toronto on July 8.
Valdez already owns Major League Baseball’s single-season record of 25 straight quality starts, which was set last season.
The Astros (61-47) close out their series with Cleveland in a matinee game on Wednesday.
The no-hitter is the first thrown by a single pitcher since Verlander’s on Sept. 1, 2019. It’s also the first thrown since the Astros completed a combined effort in the World Series against Philadelphia last season.
IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE AN ASTRO. pic.twitter.com/w17PQ60eoa
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 2, 2023
Last five Astros no-hitters
- Aug. 1, 2023: Framber Valdez vs. Cleveland, Minute Maid Park
- Nov. 2, 2022: Cristian Javier (starter), Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, Ryan Pressly vs. Philadelphia, Citizens Bank Park
- June 25, 2022: Cristian Javier (starter), Hector Neris, Ryan Pressly vs. New York Yankees, Yankee Stadium
- Sept. 1, 2019: Justin Verlander vs. Toronto, Rogers Centre
- Aug. 3, 2019: Aaron Sanchez (starter), Will Harris, Joe Biagini, Chris Devenski vs. Seattle, Minute Maid Park