**Astros Pitcher Framber Valdez Faces Tension with Catcher in Yankees Loss**
Framber Valdez, the starting pitcher for the Houston Astros, encountered a challenging outing during the team’s 7-1 defeat against the New York Yankees on Tuesday. Tensions flared between Valdez and his catcher, César Salazar, as the game progressed.
In the fifth inning, with the Yankees leading 2-0 and the bases loaded, Valdez faced center fielder Trent Grisham, who was ahead in the count at 1-0. As the pitch clock was running down, Salazar signaled for Valdez to step off the mound and take a timeout. However, Valdez disregarded the signal and delivered a pitch just before the clock expired. Grisham capitalized on the situation, hitting a 96-mph sinker into the left-field stands for a grand slam, extending the Yankees’ lead to 6-0.
Following this, Valdez appeared to express his frustration towards Salazar. He threw a 93-mph sinker that struck Salazar in the chest protector, catching the catcher off guard. Salazar, visibly surprised, exchanged glances with Valdez, who turned away and returned to the mound. After the pitch, Salazar removed his mask and approached the mound before tossing the ball back to Valdez.
Former MLB pitcher and Athletics broadcaster Dallas Braden commented on the incident via social media, labeling it “100% intentional” and criticizing Valdez’s behavior.
When questioned about the pitch’s intent after the game, Valdez denied any malice, stating, “No, it was not intentional.” He explained that he and Salazar had a miscommunication regarding the pitch call. “We just got crossed up,” Valdez said in Spanish through a translator. He later apologized to Salazar, taking full responsibility for the misunderstanding.
Salazar corroborated Valdez’s account, clarifying that he mistakenly signaled for the wrong pitch due to the loud atmosphere in the stadium. “I thought I pressed the button, but I pressed the wrong button,” he explained. “Me and Framber, we actually have a really good relationship.”
The Astros, currently holding a record of 76-63, will aim to bounce back in the second game of their three-game series against the Yankees (77-61) on Wednesday at 8:10 p.m. ET.
**FAQ**
*Was the incident between Valdez and Salazar intentional?*
No, both Valdez and Salazar clarified that the pitch miscommunication was unintentional, stemming from a crossed signal during the game.
