HOUSTON -- For much of the past few years, the Houston Astros depended on Justin Verlander to lead their rotation.
With the three-time Cy Young Award winner gone to the New York Mets this season, that role shifted to Framber Valdez. And on Tuesday night, Valdez outpitched his former teammate to give the Astros a much-needed win.
Alex Bregman hit a two-run homer and Valdez threw eight strong innings as Houston snapped a five-game slide with a 4-2 win over the Mets.
"Framber was incredible today," Bregman said.