Tuesday was a magical day for the Astros group.
After a pair of mixed no-hitters within the 2022 season, together with one within the World Series, Valdez was the primary Astro to throw a person no-hitter since 2019. The earlier Houston pitcher to take action? None aside from Verlander himself.
Here are 9 details about Valdez’s no-hitter and the ending touches on a wild day for the game.
• Valdez’s no-hitter is, as famous above, the sixteenth in Astros historical past, with all however 4 of these being thrown by a single, particular person pitcher. Remarkably, Valdez’s is the primary of these particular person Astros’ no-nos to be thrown by a lefty.
• Another factor about these 16 by Houston? That’s essentially the most no-hitters thrown by any membership for the reason that Astros’ first season in 1962. The subsequent most by any membership in that span is 13, by the Dodgers.
• Valdez’s 93 pitches have been the third fewest in a no-hitter since pitch counts have been tracked (1988), behind solely Darryl Kile’s 83 on Sept. 8, 1993, additionally for the Astros, and David Cone’s 88 in his July 18, 1999, good recreation for the Yankees.
• How environment friendly was he? Among 12 particular person gamers in Astros historical past to throw a no-hitter, Valdez grew to become the primary to take action whereas dealing with the minimal 27 batters. Valdez allowed one stroll to Oscar Gonzalez within the fifth inning however induced a double play from Will Brennan shortly after.
• Valdez is simply the second Dominican-born left-hander to throw a no-hitter and the ninth lefty born outdoors of the United States to take action, in response to Elias. Valdez joins 2018 James Paxton (Canada), 2012 Johan Santana (Venezuela), 2011 Francisco Liriano (Dominican Republic), 2009 Jonathan Sánchez (Puerto Rico), 1991 Wilson Alvarez (Venezuela), 1990 Fernando Valenzuela (Mexico), 1987 Juan Nieves (Mexico) and 1882 Tony Mullane (Ireland).
• This was Martín Maldonado’s third MLB no-hitter behind the plate, however as he famous to Julia Morales on the sphere postgame, it’s the primary he’s caught from a person pitcher. On Aug. 3, 2019, he caught a mixed no-hitter from Aaron Sanchez, Will Harris, Joe Biagini and Chris Devenski. And on June 25, 2022, he was behind the plate for a mixed effort from Cristian Javier, Héctor Neris and Ryan Pressly.
• And if we transcend MLB, it’s value noting that Maldonado additionally caught eight good innings in a World Baseball Classic recreation for Team Puerto Rico in March, in a mercy rule-shortened recreation. That recreation was additionally a mixed effort, by Jose De Leon, Yacksel Ríos, Edwin Díaz and Duane Underwood Jr.
• Maldonado’s three no-hitters caught are tied for the third most in MLB historical past, behind solely Carlos Ruiz and Jason Varitek, with 4 every, in response to the Elias Sports Bureau. He’s the 18th participant to be the beginning catcher in no less than three no-hitters.
• Dusty Baker has now managed 5 no-hitters, tied for the fourth most in MLB historical past with Fielder Jones, Connie Mack, Leo Durocher and Bruce Bochy, in response to Elias. Only Walter Alston (seven), A.J. Hinch (six) and John McGraw (six) managed extra.
Content Source: www.mlb.com