Houston ace Framber Valdez criticizes defensive shift in Astros’ loss to Nationals

HOUSTON AP Houston ace Framber Valdez expressed frustration about the defensive positioning on a play in the sixth inning Monday night that led to the only run he allowed in the Astros - loss to the Washington Nationals There were two outs in the sixth when Valdez walked Josh Bell Nathaniel Lowe s groundball double to the right field corner scored Bell and tied the challenge at Valdez wasn t happy that right fielder Taylor Trammell was shifted halfway to center field instead of in right field on the play I saw the right fielder playing center field and you know we have a center fielder for that Valdez explained reporters in Spanish through a translator I feel like the right fielder should have been playing right field I was uncomfortable with that Valdez was inquired if he addressed the positioning with the coaching staff I don t have to ask the coaches about that he reported I feel like baseball is a meeting of common sense With me as a lefty pitcher they don t hit a lot of fly balls against me Valdez allowed three hits and a run while tying a season high with strikeouts in six innings to become the th pitcher in franchise history to reach career strikeouts Riley Adams hit a solo homer in the seventh inning to give Washington the win and extend Houston s skid to a season-high five games AP MLB https apnews com hub mlb Source