Framber Valdez No-Hits Cleveland at Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez throws the MLB’s third no-hitter of the season Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Valdez is a 29-year-old starting pitcher from Palenque, Dominican Republic. Valdez is in his sixth season for the Astros. He is no stranger to success as the lefty is a two-time All-star and World Series champion.

Valdez reached many milestones in his no-hit performance against the Cleveland Guardians.

Valdez completed the 16th no-hitter in Astros organization history. He is the first left-handed pitcher in Astros history to do so. The last Houston Astro pitcher to single handily throw a no-hitter was his teammate Justin Verlander in 2019 against the Toronto Blue Jays, Verlander was traded for earlier in the day. The Astros had a combined no-hitter in 2022 when Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, and Ryan Pressly not hit the Phillies.

It took 93 pitches for Valdez to finish the game, making it the third-fewest pitches thrown in a no-hit game in the 21st century. According to the MLB in a tweet.

No pitcher in the 21st century has fired a no-hitter in fewer pitches than Framber Valdez did tonight. 👏

(MLB x @BudweiserUSA) pic.twitter.com/qRYXZUXHUJ

— MLB (@MLB) August 2, 2023

Valdez is the eighth pitcher born in the Dominican Republic to reach no-hit history. He is the second Dominican to throw a no-hitter in 2023, alongside New York Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán was the when he threw a perfect game.

Framber Valdez se convierte en el 8vo lanzador nacido en la República Dominicana con un no-hitter en @LasMayores. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/ET5hPxRfFP

— MLB Dominicana (@MLBDominicana) August 2, 2023

This no-hitter was nearly a perfect game until Valdez walked a batter on base in the fifth inning. He also struck out seven. Right-fielder Kyle Tucker provided the offense with a two-run rbi hit in the bottom of the third. The Astros drafted the Guardians 2-0.

“I feel great.. thanks to God, thanks to my catcher, thanks to my team who did a great job. I’m very grateful for this” Valdez told AT&T SportsNet Astros Reporter Julia Morales in a postgame interview.

What
A
Day
!!!!!!!!!!!

The @astros get an old friend and a future hall of famer in @JustinVerlander and follow it up with Framber Valdez's first no-hitter!

After the game he spoke with @JuliaMorales pic.twitter.com/tbkJkhPZyL

— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) August 2, 2023

Valdez’s record is now 8-7 in 20 games with a 3.29 ERA. He looks to finish his all-star season off strong.