Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez and backup catcher César Salazar had a night to forget during Tuesday’s loss to the New York Yankees, as a pair of bizarre miscommunications led to costly mistakes which includes a grand slam.
The trouble began in the third inning when Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham stepped to the plate. As Valdez prepared to deliver, Salazar appeared to wave his hand, seemingly urging the left-hander to step off the mound.
The two were clearly not aligned on pitch selection, but Valdez went ahead with the throw. Grisham made him pay, blasting the pitch into the seats for a grand slam that broke the game open.
Just one batter later, the disconnect continued. Salazar set up inside and appeared ready for an offspeed pitch, but Valdez unleashed a 93 mph fastball that sailed directly into his catcher’s chest protector.
Salazar flinched in surprise as the ball smacked him, while Valdez quickly turned away, avoiding eye contact. The awkward sequence left Salazar visibly frustrated but he regrouped and stayed behind the plate.
It was one of Valdez’s roughest starts of the season. The lefty gave up six runs on eight hits across five innings, and his chemistry with Salazar who was starting in place of regular catcher Yainer Díaz which never looked settled.
The Astros will be hoping Tuesday’s miscue was just a one-off, as Valdez remains one of their most important arms heading into the playoff push.
