Astros' Framber Valdez: Blanks Arizona for 14th win
Rotowire
Valdez (14-6) picked up the win in Friday's 8-0 rout of the Diamondbacks, allowing two hits and three walks over seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven.
Valdez has now held the opposition scoreless three times in his last four trips to the mound. The southpaw has been nearly untouchable since the beginning of August, giving up only 15 hits in 41 innings over his last six starts en route to a 1.32 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 45:12 K:BB. Valdez will look to stay dominant in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Athletics.
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Astros' Framber Valdez: Dazzles in no-decision
Rotowire
Valdez came away with a no-decision in Friday's 3-2 win over the Royals, walking three batters over seven no-hit, scoreless innings. He struck out seven.
The southpaw closed the books on August the same way he started it, by teasing a no-hitter, but Valdez left the mound after 98 pitches (60 strikes) with Houston clinging to a 1-0 lead that Josh Hader eventually squandered. The quality start was Valdez's 14th of the year, and he didn't give up more than three runs in any of his five August outings, posting a 1.59 ERA, 0.65 WHIP and 38:9 K:BB through 34 innings on the month. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Diamondbacks.
Valdez (13-6) took the loss against the Orioles on Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
Valdez was pulled with a 2-0 lead and the bases loaded in the sixth inning but all three runs crossed home plate on a pinch-hit double by Jackson Holliday. It was the southpaw's first loss since June 18 and just the second time in seven starts since the All-Star break he's allowed more than two earned runs. On the season, Valdez owns a 3.27 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 139:44 K:BB across 143.1 innings and lines up for a home matchup with the Royals next week.
Valdez (13-5) allowed three hits and a walk over seven shutout frames Sunday, striking out nine and picking up a win over the White Sox.
Valdez did not allow a runner to reach scoring position and, at one point, retired 11 straight batters in the dominant victory. He's struck out at least nine batters in five of his last seven starts, resulting in a 59:12 K:BB through 46.1 frames. Valdez is 8-0 with an impressive 2.39 ERA over his last 10 appearances. On the year, he owns a 3.20 ERA with a 131:43 K:BB over 137.2 innings. Valdez's next start is projected to be in Baltimore.
Valdez (12-5) earned the win Monday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Rays. He struck out nine.
Valdez allowed Taylor Walls to double his season total in extra-base hits but otherwise allowed just a couple of singles and a walk that tallied merely one run. Valdez was on track for a quality start, but a two-out walk left him at 101 pitches and his night ended one out shy of his 13th such effort on the season. The veteran lefty hasn't taken the loss during any of his last nine starts, going 7-0 with a 2.68 ERA and 1.12 WHIP while punching out 66 batters over 57 innings during that stretch. He's next slated to take the hill in a highly favorable home matchup against the fledgling White Sox.
Valdez (11-5) picked up the win Tuesday in a 4-2 victory over the Rangers, allowing two runs on one hit and three walks over 8.2 innings. He struck out five.
The southpaw headed into the ninth inning with a chance to deliver his second career no-hitter, but after issuing a two-out walk to Josh Smith, Valdez's 107th pitch of the night got blasted into the right-field seats by Corey Seager. Valdez had to settle for his 12th quality start of the season, but he remains locked in, winning six straight decisions over his last eight outings with a 2.81 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 57:17 K:BB through 51.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Tampa Bay.
