“It wasn’t intentional": Astros pitcher Framber Valdez clarifies after hitting own catcher after Grand Slam miscue against Yankees

It was a night full of frustration and miscommunication for Framber Valdez as the Houston Astros lost 7-1 to the New York Yankees. The left-handed pitcher not only surrendered a momentum-shifting grand slam but also accidentally drilled his own catcher, Cesar Salazar, with a fastball in one of the game’s strangest moments.

Afterward, Valdez was quick to clear up any doubts, stressing the incident wasn’t intentional. This article throws light on how the miscues unfolded and what Valdez had to say afterward.

Miscommunication costs Astros as Framber Valdez and Cesar Salazar struggle in loss to Yankees

The unfortunate incident initiated in the fifth inning with the bases loaded. Astros catcher Cesar Salazar seemed to signal for Valdez to step off the mound, but the pitcher went ahead with his throw. Yankees hitter Trent Grisham then blasted the pitch into the left-field seats for a grand slam that broke the game open.

Things got even stranger afterward. Salazar, set up inside and bracing for something off-speed, was caught completely off guard when Valdez threw a 93 mph fastball that slammed straight into his chest protector. The catcher flinched as the ball smashed into his gear, while Valdez turned away, visibly frustrated.After the game, Valdez insisted there was no malice involved. “It was a pitch I wanted to throw. I wasn’t able to locate it. Then afterwards, we just got crossed up. Afterwards, I told him I was sorry,” he said, adding, “No, it was not intentional.”

The miscues highlighted one of Valdez’s roughest outings of the year, bagging six runs and eight hits in five innings. Normally paired with Yainer Diaz, Valdez was paired up with Salazar, who was filling in behind the plate on Tuesday, against the Yankees. The lack of chemistry was evident.For New York Yankees, the night was powered by Grisham’s slam and two homers from Jazz Chisholm Jr., while Max Fried dominated on the mound. For Houston, the game will be remembered less for the loss in the standings and more for the misfires between pitcher and catcher.