Valdez strikes out eight in seven innings, Astros limit A's to two hits in 3-0 victory
Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez throws against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Houston. Credit: AP/Michael Wyke
HOUSTON — Framber Valdez struck out eight in seven strong innings and combined with Seth Martinez for a two-hitter, and the Houston Astros beat the Oakland Athletics 3-0 on Wednesday for their season-high fourth straight victory.
Valdez (3-1) allowed both hits and walked two. The left-hander recorded 11 groundouts.
Valdez has yielded two runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. Martinez earned his first save of the season.
Oakland’s only hits off Valdez were a weak infield single by J.D. Davis in the fourth and Shea Langeliers' single in the seventh. The A’s have lost four straight.
The A’s put runners on first and second in the ninth on an error by Alex Bregman and Tyler Soderstrom's walk, but Langeliers grounded into a double play to end it.
Jose Altuve singled leading off the first, had reached third on Kyle Tucker's double and scored on a throwing error by Zack Gelof, who was trying to get Tucker at second. Tucker scored on Bregman's sacrifice fly two batters later.
Mauricio Dubón added a sacrifice fly in the fourth to make it 3-0.
Houston Astros' Jose Altuve slides into home plate as he scores on a one run RBI double by Kyle Tucker against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Houston. Credit: AP/Michael Wyke
Aaron Brooks (0-1) surrendered three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts in seven innings in his first start since Sept. 13, 2019, when he was with Baltimore. It was his first major league appearance since April 28, 2022.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Athletics: LHP Alex Wood was placed on the 15-day injured list with left rotator cuff tendonitis and LHP Brady Basso was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room for Brooks on the roster. The A’s also recalled LHP Hogan Harris from Las Vegas. INF Darrell Hernaiz (left ankle) was transferred to the 60-day injured list to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.
Astros: OF Chas McCormick (right hamstring discomfort) went 0 for 4 in a start for Double-A Corpus Christi in his third game of an injury rehabilitation assignment.
Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman, front, makes the play to first base in front of shortstop Jeremy Pena, back, on the grounder by Oakland Athletics' Max Schuemann during the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Houston. Credit: AP/Michael Wyke
UP NEXT
Houston RHP Cristian Javier (2-1, 4.01 ERA) starts Thursday opposite Oakland RHP Joey Estes (1-0, 1.80 ERA) in the finale of the four-game series.
