FRAMBER Valdez tossed his first career no-hitter and faced the minimum 27 batters as the Houston Astros made a pair of third inning runs to stand in a 2-0 victory over the visiting Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).
Valdez (9-7) was masterful from the onset in his 93-pitch gem. The 29-year-old lefty retired the first 12 batters he faced, six via strikeout, before surrendering a leadoff walk to Oscar Gonzalez in the top of the fifth inning. That frame ended with a ground-ball double play.
Valdez struck out seven and issued just the one walk while throwing the third no-hitter of the season. A two-run, third-inning single by Kyle Tucker gave him all the support he needed.
Guardians rookie Gavin Williams (1-3) allowed two runs on four hits in five innings.
In other games, it was the Cubs 20, Reds 9; Padres 8, Rockies 5; Red Sox 6, Mariners 4; Dodgers 7, Athletics 3; Pirates 4, Tigers 1; Rays 5, Yankees 2; Braves 5, Angels 1; Twins 3, Cardinals 2; Phillies 3, Marlins 1; Royals 7, Mets 6 (10 innings); Brewers 6, Nationals 4; Orioles 13, Blue Jays 3; Rangers 2, White Sox 0; and Giants 4, Diamondbacks 3.
Cubs 20, Reds 9
Dansby Swanson had five RBIs and clubbed two of Chicago’s seven homers in a blowout of visiting Cincinnati.
Cody Bellinger added a two-run homer and Mike Tauchman belted a three-run drive for the Cubs, who also got a solo shot from Nico Hoerner, a two-run blast from Patrick Wisdom and a three-run homer from Miguel Amaya. Those seven homers tied a club record for the Cubs, who posted 21 hits en route to their highest-scoring game this season. Chicago has now won 11 of its last 14 games. Justin Steele (12-3) won his third straight outing, but he yielded five runs (four earned) and nine hits in six innings.
Tyler Stephenson had a two-run homer and Matt McLain added three hits and two RBIs for the National League Central-leading Reds, who are 4-1 at Wrigley Field in 2023. Cincinnati’s Ben Lively (4-7) allowed 13 runs and 13 hits, including four homers, over four innings.
Padres 8, Rockies 5
Juan Soto homered twice and drove in four runs to lead San Diego over Colorado in Denver.
Fernando Tatis Jr. added two RBIs to help the Padres win for the ninth time in 14 games. San Diego’s Jake Cronenworth had two hits for the fifth consecutive game while Robert Suarez (1-0) got the win after one scoreless inning of relief.
Ryan McMahon homered and drove in four runs for Colorado. Elias Diaz had three doubles and Jurickson Profar also had three hits for the Rockies, who have lost five of their past seven games. Peter Lambert (2-2) gave up four runs on four hits in 4 1/3 in the loss.
