Convenience Big Store: What's wrong with Framber Valdez?

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It hasn't been quite two weeks since Framber Valdez pitched a no-hitter so it's probably too soon to ask what's wrong with Astros' pitcher.

But Valdez surrendered two home runs to the Marlins' Jorge Soler and Luis Arraez in the eighth inning of Houston's 5-1 loss. It marked Valdez's second time allowing back-to-back home runs in 121 major league outings. It was just his third time allowing two homers in the same inning.

It followed seven innings in which the Astros ace appeared his usual self, inducing a spate of groundballs and scattering four hits against Miami's lineup.

So what's wrong? The lefty might just be throwing too hard, and that takes some of the break off his sinker. Matthew Kawahara explains.

While Jose Altuve got three hits to get within four of 2,000 for his career, the rest of the Astros' bats went quiet for the second game in the row.

The Astros also got to see an old friend, Yuli Gurriel, in Miami on Monday. He'll get his 2022 World Series ring on Tuesday.

The Texans get a day off on Tuesday before practicing with the Dolphins later this week. They need the break and the change of faces across the line of scrimmage. It was another testy day on Monday at camp.

One person in Texans camp who is feeling pretty good is veteran safety Jimmie Ward. Ward is back at his regular position and ready to make an impact for his new team and old coach.

The college football national title game will be in Houston on Jan. 8. And while the preseason AP poll may not mean much come the end of the season, it's as good a place as any to start sorting out the contenders.

Texas A&M and UH, however, each lost key players to injury in camp this week.

Stat of the day: 5.59. The ERA for Framber Valdez in six starts since the All-Star game, and that includes a no-hitter two weeks ago.

Reid Laymance
Sports editor
reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros' Framber Valdez delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Photo by: Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

What's wrong with Framber Valdez?

Framber Valdez allowed 11 home runs in 201 regular-season innings last season. He has allowed eight in his last six starts since the All-Star break.

Marlins 5, Astros 1: Sharp contact and scoring chances went largely for naught for the Astros in a series-opening loss to the Marlins.
Ring time: Now mentoring young teammates as the Marlins chase a playoff spot, Yuli Gurriel has patiently awaited his reward for last year's championship.
AL's best: Jose Altuve, who is closing in on 2,000 career hits, won the AL player of the week honor for the fourth time in his career after going 13-for-25.

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans cornerback Jimmie Ward (1) takes the field during an NFL training camp Sunday, July 30, 2023, in Houston.

Photo by: Jon Shapley, Staff Photographer

Jimmie Ward is back at safety with Texans and becoming a force

DeMeco Ryans was good on his word to bring Jimmie Ward with him from San Francisco, and the veteran is repaying that confidence.

Temper, temper: DeMeco Ryans likes his team playing with "an edge" and is ready to have workouts with Dolphins later this week.

College Football

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: Jaionte McMillan #27 of the TCU Horned Frogs walks off the field after being defeated by the Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at SoFi Stadium on January 09, 2023 in Inglewood, California. Georgia defeated TCU 65-7. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Photo by: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Three Texas teams land in AP preseason top 25 football poll

The Longhorns are No. 11, last year's surprise team TCU is at No. 17 and the Aggies are No. 23.

Loss at A&M: Tight end Donovan Green, who had 22 catches and two touchdowns as a freshman, is out for year with ACL injury.
Loss at UH: Freshman running back ReShaun Sanford suffered an undisclosed injury during preseason camp and is out for year.
Shoes to fill: Jonathan Brooks isn't Bijan Robinson, but he is talented enough to lead the Longhorns' backfield in 2023.

Rockets / NBA

*** BESTPIX *** CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 15: James Harden #1 (L) and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey of the Philadelphia 76ers look on during a press conference at the Seventy Sixers Practice Facility on February 15, 2022 in Camden, New Jersey. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Photo by: Tim Nwachukwu, Getty Images

James Harden calls former Rockets GM Daryl Morey 'a liar'

James Harden and Daryl Morey go way back to their days with the Houston Rockets, but that relationship appears to be broken now.

Fact check: Season two's second episode of HBO's "Winning Time" shows the Rockets upsetting the Lakers in the 1981 playoffs. The episode missed on some details.

High School Football

Cypress Falls running back Trey Morris (22) stiff arms Tomball Memorial linebacker Nyle Hughes (9) in the third quarter during the Region II-6A Division II bi-district game at Ken Pridgeon Stadium in Houston, Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.

Photo by: Maria Lysaker

District 16-6A preview

Running back Trey Morris leads a dark horse Cypress Falls team this year. The Army commit finished last year with 1,950 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns.