Valdez outpitches Ohtani for 1st mound loss as Astros win 3-1

The Houston Astros defeated the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 in a hard-fought game, which saw Shohei Ohtani succumb to his first mound loss for the season on Tuesday night.

Back in the win column. pic.twitter.com/QkGzxZXhkk

— Houston Astros (@astros) May 10, 2023

Framber Valdez was the star of the show as he countered Ohtani in a brilliant fashion, racking up 12 strikeout in 8 innings of three-hit ball.

More on this topic:

Ohtani and Aaron Judge leading the race for the MLB MVP award

Ohtani surpassed Babe Ruth’s record of career mound strikeout, but that would certainly not compensate for his lacklustre performance, which saw him give up 6 hits in 7 innings and also allowing 5 straight Astros’ to reach base in a three-run fifth.

He finished the game with 7 strikeouts, but allowed three runs in three straight games for the first time in his career.

Yordan Alvarez had an RBI to help Astros, who ended their 3-game losing streak.

Rookie Zach Neto hit his first homer for the Angels, who succumbed to their 3rd defeat in the last 4 games.