Rangers Muster One Hit in Loss to Astros

Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images

August 6, 2024

Astros 4, Rangers 2

ARLINGTON, Tex. (Aug 6) — The Texas Rangers almost witnessed history from the opposing dugout, as they lost to the Houston Astros, 4–2, on Tuesday. Left-hander Framber Valdez took a no-hitter into the bottom of the ninth. It looked like a sure thing that he would put the finishing touches on his masterpiece, but the Rangers had other ideas. Offensively, the Astros got some help from Yordan Alvarez, who hit a late-inning two-run homer to even this three-game series. The Rangers, meanwhile, will go for the series win on Wednesday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 1:35 pm Central at Globe Life Field. Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (4–9, 4.67 ERA) will take the mound for the Astros, while the Rangers will counter with righty Jose Urena (3–6, 3.70 ERA).

Scoreless Through Three

Neither team broke into the run column until the top of the fourth. After Yainer Diaz grounded to third to lead off, Rangers starter Tyler Mahle walked Jeremy Pena. He advanced to second on a single to center by Jon Singleton. Pena later moved to third on a 5–4 force play grounded into by Zach Dezenzo. On deck was Jake Meyers, who singled to right to score Pena. The Astros added an insurance run off reliever Dane Dunning in the top of the sixth. Diaz led off with an infield single that was out of the reach of third baseman Josh Jung. Pena reached on a 6–4 force play, and later moved up a base on a walk drawn by Singleton. Two batters later, Meyers plated Pena with a single to left for the second time of the evening.

Seager Breaks Up Valdez’ No-No

The Astros weren’t finished. They added two more runs in the top of the ninth. After Chas McCormick grounded to third to open the inning, Jose Altuve beat out a bunt up the third base line that the Rangers had no chance of getting to, both with the placement of the bunt and Altuve’s speed. Jung didn’t even make the throw to first once he retrieved the ball. Alex Bregman reached on a 4–6 force play, removing Altuve’s speed from the equation. On deck was Alvarez, who blasted a 1–1 fastball to right-center, stretching the Astros’ lead to 4–0.

Heading to the bottom of the ninth, there was a mixture of hopelessness and anticipation among the fans at Globe Life Field. Valdez had held the Rangers hitless up to that point, surrendering one walk to Marcus Semien in the seventh. Robbie Grossman led off the ninth by drawing a free pass. On deck was Ezequiel Duran, who grounded into a 5–4–3 double play, making the crowd of 34,458 groan in unison. Up next was Monday’s hero Josh Smith, who drew a walk, bringing up Corey Seager. The crowd arose to their feet as Seager walked to the plate. He stepped in and wrecked the no-hitter with one spectacular swing, sending his 24th homer of the year to right-center.

What Went Right for the Astros

It was clear from the start that Valdez had his good stuff on Tuesday. Everyone in the ballpark sensed that something special was happening even in the early frames. He gave the Rangers fits the whole night, as they were visibly perplexed at the dish. Alvarez’s home run and the RBI base hits by Meyers were a big help as well.

What Went Wrong for the Astros

Things were going swimmingly for the Astros until Seager’s dinger in the bottom of the ninth. Valdez had only issued one free pass up to that point.

Mahle’s Rangers Debut

Rangers starter Tyler Mahle suffered the loss in his Rangers debut, despite surrendering one earned run over five innings. His line was 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R-ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 76 pitches/49 strikes. His record sits at 0–1 with an ERA of 1.80. Tuesday marked his first major league outing since a start for the Minnesota Twins on April 27, 2023, against the Kansas City Royals. Mahle was activated from the 60-day Injured List on Tuesday after recovering from Tommy John surgery that he underwent on May 22, 2023.

So Close

Tuesday would have signified Framber Valdez’s second career no-hitter and the Astros’ second no-no this year. Despite Seager’s homer, Valdez still crafted an ‘ultra’-quality start after tossing a season-high 107 pitches, as he earned his 11th win of the season. He is now 11–5 with an ERA of 3.46. Tuesday marked his second career outing of 8 2/3+ innings and one-or-fewer hits, joining his no-hitter on August 1, 2023, against the Cleveland Guardians. Valdez is the only pitcher in the majors over the last two seasons with multiple outings of 8 2/3+ innings with one-or-zero knocks allowed.

Only nine pitchers have one such game in that span across all of baseball. Valdez, the major league leader in ground ball percentage, 59.6% entering Tuesday, recorded 12 of his 26 outs via the ground ball in this outing. The left-hander is 6–0 with a 2.81 ERA over his last eight starts dating back to June 23. Fellow lefty Josh Hader came in to relieve Valdez in the ninth. He walked one before getting Jung to fly to center for the final out to record his 23rd save of the season.

Postgame Comments

“We were back in it,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said of what went through his mind as Seager’s homer flew into the stands. “We had a good hitter up there [Jung] and got a good swing off, hit it right to the wall. That’s what you want to see, is fight at the end. And they were doing that.”

Mahle also made an appearance after the game to discuss his Rangers debut.“I felt great,” he said. “It felt like I never left. I was really happy to be able to go out and compete with these guys. I trust the process. It’s cliché, but we’re here. I was happy it went the way it did for me, especially to get the first one out of the way. Obviously we took a tough loss, but getting the first one out of the way, it was huge.”