ARLINGTON, Texas — One out away from something only 35 other pitchers can proclaim, Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez made the one mistake of an otherwise magnificent Tuesday night.
With two outs in the ninth inning, Valdez hung a first-pitch slider to Texas Rangers slugger Corey Seager, who smashed it 411 feet into the right field seats to break up Valdez’s bid for a second career no-hitter. The Astros still hung on to win 4-2.
Seager only came to bat after Valdez issued a two-out walk to leadoff man Josh Smith. He walked Robbie Grossman to begin the ninth inning, too, but Ezequiel Duran grounded into a 5-4-3 double play, putting Valdez on the precipice of history.
Just 35 other pitchers have thrown multiple no-hitters in their career. For most of this marvelous night, Valdez appeared in line to accompany them.
He flummoxed a frustrated Rangers lineup across eight excellent innings, wielding a wicked curveball he threw at will, a changeup he used to create so much weak contact and a sinker around which his entire arsenal is predicated.
Valdez needed 93 pitches to procure his first 24 outs. He struck out five and surrendered 21 balls in play. Before Seager’s shot, just six had left the infield, a groundball clinic by a pitcher renowned for them.
This story will be updated.
(Photo of Framber Valdez: Kevin Jairaj / USA Today)
