Framber Valdez becomes 1st left-handed Astros pitcher to throw no-hitter

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- On a day in which the Astros pulled off a blockbuster trade to reunite with former ace Justin Verlander, it was the club's current No. 1 pitcher who ended up making history.

Framber Valdez threw the 16th no-hit game in franchise history on Tuesday night in front of 41,000 fans at Minute Maid Park.

Valdez, who notched his first-career no-hitter, allowed just one walk in the fifth inning while striking out seven batters in a 2-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians.

The 29-year-old from the Dominican Republic threw just 93 pitches to complete the historic game, seeing the minimum 27 batters to do it. He's also the first left-handed Astros starter to throw a no-hitter. Former left-handed Astros closer Billy Wagner was part of the combined no-hitter against the Yankees on June 11, 2003.

Valdez had pitched five complete games, including two complete game shutouts before Tuesday's gem. The no-hitter was the third in the majors this season. New York Yankees right-hander Domingo Germán pitched a perfect game at Oakland on June 28, and Matt Manning, Alex Lange and Jason Foley of the Detroit Tigers threw a combined no-no against Toronto on July 8.

Valdez already owns Major League Baseball's single-season record of 25 straight quality starts, which was set last season.

The Astros (61-47) close out their series with Cleveland in a matinee game on Wednesday.

The no-hitter is the first thrown by a single pitcher since Verlander's on Sept. 1, 2019. It's also the first thrown since the Astros completed a combined effort in the World Series against Philadelphia last season.

Last five Astros no-hitters

• Aug. 1, 2023: Framber Valdez vs. Cleveland, Minute Maid Park
• Nov. 2, 2022: Cristian Javier (starter), Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, Ryan Pressly vs. Philadelphia, Citizens Bank Park
• June 25, 2022: Cristian Javier (starter), Hector Neris, Ryan Pressly vs. New York Yankees, Yankee Stadium
• Sept. 1, 2019: Justin Verlander vs. Toronto, Rogers Centre
• Aug. 3, 2019: Aaron Sanchez (starter), Will Harris, Joe Biagini, Chris Devenski vs. Seattle, Minute Maid Park

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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