Houston Astros fans ebullient as team sweeps Oakland Athletics for seventh straight win: "America’s team. That is all" "A complete Framboozling"
The Houston Astros won their seventh game in a row and ninth in their last ten by blanking the Oakland Athletics 2-0 on Sunday.
It was the Astros' second straight sweep, having previously taken three straight from the Chicago Cubs. With the win, Houston kept pace with the American League West-leading Texas Rangers, improving to 27-19 on the season, two games behind them.
Sunday. Shutout. Sweep.
Final: #Astros 2, Athletics 0 https://t.co/qXsAGgEdP0
Starting pitcher Framber Valdez went the distance, tossing a four-hit complete game shutout at the Athletics while striking out seven. Oakland dropped to an MLB-worst 10-38 on the season with its eighth loss in the past 10 games.
@astros @cpenny81 Americas team. That is all. Thank you for listening.
@astros ASTROS STREAKING!! #Ready2Reign #Astros #HoustonAstros https://t.co/0N5kZ4q5na
@astros He is perfect and we love him https://t.co/8xHOVOgdp8
Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado told reporters after the game that Valdez was looking special in the pre-game warm-up. Maldonado said:
"His warmup wasn't normal for him. He was doing some stuff where ... (I) was like, 'What is that?'"
@astros A complete Framboozling
@astros https://t.co/DTjW79rsBd
@astros CY YOUNG SZN INCOMING
It was the second career complete-game shutout for Valdez, who bounced back from allowing seven hits and four runs over a season-low four innings against the Cubs on May 15. Valdez improved to 4-4 on the season with a 2.45 ERA.
@astros Best pitcher in baseball
🏟️
🏼 #Astros #Ready2Reign #FramberValdez@astros Him…⚾️🏟️💪🏼 #Astros #Ready2Reign #FramberValdez https://t.co/shK911PO6x
@astros So amazing to watch this guy pitch a complete game! And a shutout!!!
After a difficult start to the season, the Astros appear to be hitting stride. The defending World Series champions. Houston currently has the fifth-best record in the AL, behind only the Rangers and the top three teams from the ultra-competitive AL East.
@astros @AirNatlGuard Took care of biz. Let’s keep it rolling
Houston Astros take winning streak on the road
Having not lost since a 3-1 setback at the Chicago White Sox on May 13, the Astros head back out on the road for a six-game set away from Minute Maid Park. Houston first travels to the Milwaukee Brewers for a three-game series before traveling to Oakland for another three-gamer against the Athletics.
The Astros return to Houston on May 29 for three games against the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins.