WEST SACRAMENTO. – With the season hanging by a thread, Dominican left-hander Framber Valdez delivered one of his best performances of the year this Thursday and gave the Houston Astros hope in the fight for the last Wild Card spot in the American League.
Valdez, who had barely won a game in his last 10 starts, rose to the occasion by working seven solid innings of one run with 10 strikeouts, guiding the Astros to a resounding 11-5 victory over the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. The win snapped a five-game losing streak and kept Houston in contention heading into the final weekend of the season.
With a record of 85-74, the Astros are only half a game behind the Detroit Tigers for the third Wild Card. However, Detroit has the tiebreaker advantage, which forces Houston to finish strong in their three-game series against the Angels.
The offense also responded after several days of being shut down, manufacturing nine runs in the first five innings without the need for home runs. José Altuve, despite discomfort in his right foot, and Isaac Paredes, with pain in his hamstring, led the attack with two hits each. Houston’s only home run in the series came in the eighth inning, courtesy of Christian Walker’s 24th home run.
Valdez, for his part, set the tone after allowing a single to the first batter of the game: he retired the next five via strikeout and didn’t allow a run until the sixth inning, when Nick Kurtz hit a home run with two outs. The 10 strikeouts represent his highest figure since July 28.
With this performance, the Dominican reaffirmed his ability to be the ace of the rotation in decisive moments and keeps the Astros’ hope of reaching another postseason alive.
Valdez, who had barely won a game in his last 10 starts, rose to the occasion by working seven solid innings of one run with 10 strikeouts, guiding the Astros to a resounding 11-5 victory over the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. The win snapped a five-game losing streak and kept Houston in contention heading into the final weekend of the season.
