Framber Valdez pitched seven innings without allowing a hit, and Jose Altuve’s game-winning RBI double in the ninth inning led the Houston Astros to a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.
The game was tied 2-2 when Jake Meyers hit a single off James McArthur (5-6) with one out in the ninth. With two outs, Altuve hit a double off the left-field wall, driving Meyers home and sparking a big celebration.
“He always finds a way to wow us and that’s another big swing by Jose Altuve,” manager Joe Espada said.
The Royals were down 2-0 and had only one hit until Bobby Witt Jr. reached base due to an error by shortstop Jeremy Peña in the ninth. With one out, Paul DeJong hit a slider from Josh Hader (7-7) into the Crawford Boxes to tie the game.
Valdez was taken out after 98 pitches, with 60 strikes, seven strikeouts, three walks, and one hit batter. He was not upset about being removed with the no-hitter still intact.
“He made the decision that I was done there and I agreed,” Valdez said through an interpreter. “The most important thing was that we won the game.”
Espada praised Valdez’s performance.
“That curveball, the sinker kept that all-righty lineup off-balance,” Espada said. “His stuff is so good. Efficient, composed, going after hitters, getting big outs.”
Bryan Abreu took over in the eighth inning, retiring Michael Massey on a fly ball and MJ Melendez on a groundout. Kyle Isbel then got the Royals’ first hit with a single to left field.
