Valdez Slams Astros’ Defense After 2-1 Loss to Nationals
UPDATE: Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez voiced his frustration over a critical defensive shift during the Astros’ 2-1 loss to the Washington Nationals on July 24, 2023. The game’s pivotal moment occurred in the sixth inning, where a defensive misalignment contributed to the only run allowed by Valdez, extending Houston’s losing streak to a season-high five games.
With two outs in the sixth, Valdez issued a walk to Josh Bell, which was followed by a groundball double from Nathaniel Lowe that scored Bell and tied the game at 1. Valdez expressed discomfort with right fielder Taylor Trammell‘s positioning, stating, “I saw the right fielder playing center field… I feel like the right fielder should have been playing right field. I was uncomfortable with that.”
Valdez’s dissatisfaction was palpable as he addressed reporters in Spanish through a translator. When asked if he discussed the shift with the coaching staff, he replied, “I don’t have to ask the coaches about that. I feel like baseball is a game of common sense. With me as a lefty pitcher, they don’t hit a lot of fly balls against me.”
Despite the loss, Valdez accomplished a personal milestone, recording 12 strikeouts and becoming the 10th pitcher in franchise history to reach 1,000 career strikeouts (now at 1,007). However, it was Riley Adams‘ solo homer in the seventh inning that sealed the victory for Washington, leaving Astros fans frustrated and concerned.
This latest defeat raises questions about the Astros’ defensive strategies and whether adjustments are needed as they continue to struggle on the field. Fans will be watching closely to see how the team responds in their upcoming games. The pressure is mounting as the Astros try to break out of their slump and regain their winning form.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Astros look to address these issues before their next game.
