Framber Valdéz followed up what might have been the worst start of his career last week against the Yankees with an even rougher turn against the Pirates, and the offense looked ineffectual after starting out in a large hole.
The Astros really needed some quality innings to make up for all of the recent bullpen usage and demotions it’s seen lately. Unfortunately, Framber could not give it to them tonight. Things started rough, with Josh Bell hitting a shot the other way following a Kevin Newman leadoff single. Fortunately, that wound up being the only damage for that inning.