Astros starter Framber Valdez David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Astros' Framber Valdez makes unique history after another clean August outing

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 8/25/23

Roughly three weeks removed from throwing a no-hitter, Houston Astros left-handed stud Framber Valdez dominated the pitching mound again on Friday, making unique history along the way.

Valdez baffled the Detroit Tigers through seven innings, allowing zero hits with five walks and six punchouts. According to OptaStats, Valdez is the second pitcher since 1938 to have two outings of seven-plus innings while allowing zero hits in the same month. The last to accomplish the feat was Cincinnati Reds hurler Johnny Vander Meer, who tossed back-to-back no-hitters.

What an outing from Framber Valdez

7 IP | 0 R | 0 H | 5 BB | 6 K pic.twitter.com/7qXwGeA7oI
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 26, 2023

Valdez is also the fifth pitcher since 1961 to have a no-hitter and a no-hit bid of seven or more innings in the same month, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com. Valdez joins Derek Lowe (April 2002), Nolan Ryan (July 1973), Vida Blue (September 1970) and Steve Barber (April 1967). However, in Valdez's case, a chance at a second no-no in a month came to a screeching halt once he reached 114 pitches.

Unfortunately for Valdez, the wheels came off for the Astros once he left Friday's game. Valdez walked off the mound with a 1-0 lead, but when all was said and done, the Tigers rallied for four runs in the ninth, walking it off with Parker Meadows' first career long ball, a three-run shot.

You'll never forget your first MLB home run... especially when it's in #walkoff fashion.

Parker Meadows sends @Tigers fans home with a night they won't forget! pic.twitter.com/2XanVLp0Zw
— MLB (@MLB) August 26, 2023

Despite the hiccup, the Astros remain in control of the third and final wild-card spot in the American League. At 72-58, the Astros own a 1.5-game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays (70-59). As for Valdez, the no-decision doesn't impact his 9-9 record, but he saw his ERA drop to 3.40 on the year, just around his career average (3.38).

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