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.

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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.