For over seven innings on Saturday night at Minute Maid Park, the crowd of over 37,000 was very loud and quiet at the same time. Yes, they were very excited that the Astros were dominating the game against the Texas Rangers, but they were also nervous.

The Astros carried a combined no-hitter led by starting pitcher Framber Valdez and reliever Bryan Abreu into the eighth inning of Houston’s 4-1 victory over the Rangers before Texas shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a bloop single off reliever Ryne Stanek into right center field in front of the outstretched arms of center fielder Myles Straw.

“I looked up and saw there was a no-hitter, and I couldn’t believe it because of the amount of walks that were out there,” said Astros manager Dusty Baker. “At least he (Valdez) won the ballgame and kept us in the game. That’s what matters, is the fact we won."

Valdez struggled badly to begin the game as he walked four batters within the first two innings. He exited the game in the sixth inning only giving up two more walks for a total of six in his outing. Although he gained command of the game, the walks were still something that bothered him.

“I think what happens is, I focus too much on not giving up the walk,” said Valdez after the game. “I have a little bit of fear sometimes of not throwing that second ball, not throwing that third ball, and that causes me to get in situations where I’m not on top of my control exactly. It’s something that I, myself, can change. I have the power to change that and control that. I can make the adjustments and change my mindset, and things will come out better for me.”

Rangers starting pitcher Kyle Gibson also had a rough outing on Saturday. He walked a career-high eight batters in six innings, including a bases loaded walk to Carlos Correa in the first inning to bring in Houston’s first run. In the third inning, command issues would lead to another run when he walked Michael Brantley and he would eventually score after a double by Yuli Gurriel moved him to third base and a sacrifice fly by Yordan Alvarez would bring him home.

“We have never seen him (Gibson) that wild,” Dusty Baker said. “This guy has thrown lights out against us every time, but he was off the plate. Off the plate with his slider, his cutter, and his inside sinker. A lot of those pitches weren’t even close.”

The Astros would put the game away in the bottom of the seventh inning when Yordan Alvarez hit a solo home run into right field to increase the lead to 4-0. 2021 MLB All-Star selection Ryan Pressly came into the game in the ninth inning and struck out three of the four batters he faced. His only mistake was a solo home run given up to Andy Ibanez.

Houston has now won all eight games they have played against Texas this year at Minute Maid Park.