Valdez scored 1 self-blame, scored 7 strikeouts, won the opening game for the first time after the opening game, and showed his trump card nature

While Hunter Brown's early competitiveness with the American League Young Award has replaced Framber Valdez as the Astros' rotating ace, Waldez reminded everyone of his worth on Wednesday afternoon when the team desperately needed an ace-level performance to end a three-game losing streak. The left-handed shooter dropped just one point in seven innings and hit three hits, and Jeremy Peña hit a three-pointer from six innings to help the Astros beat the Brewers 9-1 on the road.

"Valdez has been dominant since I moved up to the big leagues," said Peña, who won the World Series MVP in 2022, "and his performances have become the norm for us. "

This "normality" has been absent for some time. The Astros lost all four of his previous games against Valdez, during which he went 0-3, had a 5.98 ERA and was 1.52 on base per inning. He threw the most 101 starts from the Astros this season, delivered seven strikeouts, and played the first time in his career against the Brewers.

'Nobody is happy when you're in a slump, but I'm happy to create winning opportunities for the team,' Valdez said.

Valdez's 93.6mph average and 89.9mph tandem combination left the Brewers at a loss for what to do, with similar points and significant speed differences, and six swings on the curveball.

"The difference in speed between the two lanes is very effective, and with the curveball as a winning weapon," commented Astros coach Joe Espada, "his performance has been outstanding. "

In the final game of the seventh inning, Valdez personally handled the slow roll of the ball in the direction of third base, and instigated a wonderful guard to block Vinny Capra (confirmed by video review). The left-hand thrower, who had been plagued by defensive problems, coped perfectly. "It feels good," Valdez laughs, "and it's purely an impromptu reaction." Originally wanted to let (the catcher) Yainer Diaz handle it, at the last minute decided to come on his own, and it turned out to be lucky. "

The Astros didn't hit any hits in the fifth inning, but they relied on eight hits to score two points: three drives, two wild drafts, and Goofy's sacrifice to form an offense. Peña's three-pointer against Elvin Rodriguez as he went out twice in the sixth inning stretched the score to 6-1. In the fifth and sixth innings, the Astros combined for only one hit (i.e., Peña home run), but scored five points with seven free drives.

"Multiple bases plus well-timed hits," Peña concluded, "is how to win." "

The Astros won 2 and lost 4 in a six-game game (White Sox + Brewers), during which they lost heavy artillery Yordan Alvarez (right hand muscle strain). While the offensive end is still grinding, Valdez's performance on Wednesday reminded everyone that his front line with Brown is still a cornerstone of the championship race.

"This win is significant," Espada said, "and the offense hasn't fully recovered yet, with a record hovering at 0.500 (18 wins, 18 losses), and we'll take off once the line awakens." Valdez was crucial, desperate to get the win for his team, and his pitching with Dias was exemplary. "