Astros lose combo no-hit try in 8th; Rangers' skid hits 11

HOUSTON (AP) — Framber Valdez and the Houston bullpen took a no-hit try into the eighth inning and Astros sent the Texas Rangers to their season-worst 11th straight loss, 4-1 on Saturday night.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a leadoff single against reliever Ryne Stanek in the eighth. Center fielder Myles Straw sprinted in and made a diving attempt to catch the ball, but it bounced just in front of his glove.

The Rangers have already been no-hit twice this season, by Joe Musgrove of the San Diego Padres on April 9 and Corey Kluber of the New York Yankees on May 19.

There have been seven no-hitters in the majors this year, one short of the big league record set in 1884, the first season that overhand pitching was allowed.

A half-hour or so before the Astros' bid was broken up, Patrick Sandoval of the Angels lost his no-hit try with one out in the ninth inning at Minnesota.

Valdez (6-2) needed 99 pitches to get through six hitless innings, his count built up by walking a career high-tying six. After Bryan Abreu extended the no-hit bid through seven, Stanek came on in the eighth and gave up a hit on his second pitch.

Yordan Alvarez homered in the seventh and Carlos Correa added two RBIs for the Astros, who won their 60th game.

Andy Ibáñez got the Rangers on the board when he hit a home run off Ryan Pressly onto the train tracks above left field with one out in the ninth. Pressly walked pinch-hitter Brock Holt with two outs but struck out pinch-hitter Joey Gallo to end it.

The losing streak by the Rangers is the third-longest in franchise history and the most since the team dropped 12 straight in 1982. Texas has lost nine games since the All-Star game and is the only team in the majors to go winless since the break.

Valdez struggled with command, and four of his six walks came...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Astros-lose-combo-no-hit-try-in-8th-Rangers-16337863.php