Astros top White Sox 4-3 on June 13 as Framber Valdez sets a strikeout record. The victory is bittersweet after a late-game injury to Isaac Paredes.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
What a wild night at Minute Maid Park. The Houston Astros edged the Chicago White Sox 4-3 in a game that will be remembered for a truly historic pitching performance, but one that leaves fans holding their breath. Framber Valdez was simply electric, setting a new franchise record for strikeouts in a five-inning start, while the offense did just enough to secure a crucial win. However, the victory was soured by a late-game injury to star third baseman Isaac Paredes, casting a shadow over the celebration.
12 strikeouts in just 5 innings. A new Houston Astros franchise record.
Framber Valdez put on an absolute clinic, making White Sox hitters look lost all night. In just five innings of work, he fanned a staggering 12 batters, setting a new club record for the most strikeouts in a five-inning outing. Despite giving up seven hits and two runs, Valdez was in complete control, earning his sixth consecutive decision and improving to 7-4 on the season. It was a masterful, dominant performance that reminded everyone why he's the anchor of this rotation.
The offense was powered by a familiar face in a new place. Jose Altuve, thriving in his left field role, was the offensive catalyst, lacing two crucial doubles and driving in two runs. He even flashed the leather with a fantastic leaping grab near the wall in the seventh, proving his value extends beyond the batter's box. Before his injury, Isaac Paredes also contributed with a solo blast, his 15th of the year, providing what would ultimately be a critical insurance run.
The joy of the win was immediately tempered in the seventh inning when Isaac Paredes pulled up lame running to first, trying to beat out a double play. He grabbed at his left hamstring and was promptly removed from the game. Manager Joe Espada said postgame that the injury 'did not appear serious,' but that the team would know more on Friday. Losing Paredes and his middle-of-the-order power for any length of time would be a significant blow to a team fighting to maintain its division lead.
When the game got tight in the ninth, the Astros turned to Mr. Automatic. Josh Hader did allow a solo shot to Mike Tauchman, but he quickly settled down to lock up his 18th save in as many opportunities. The streak is now the longest active save streak in MLB and the second-longest to start a season in Astros history, trailing only Dave Smith's incredible 21-save run in 1989. Even when he's not perfect, Hader gets the job done.
While the Astros celebrate a hard-fought win and another dominant performance from their ace, the mood is tempered by the uncertainty surrounding Isaac Paredes. As the team prepares to open a weekend series at home against the Minnesota Twins, all of Houston will be anxiously awaiting the injury update. With Colton Gordon set to face Chris Paddack on the mound, the Astros will need to keep their focus and hope their depth, a hallmark of this organization's sustained success, is ready to step up if called upon. The AL West lead is secure for now, but the path forward just got a little more complicated.
