“America’s team. That is all” “A complete Framboozling” – Houston Astros fans ebullient as team sweeps Oakland Athletics for seventh straight win

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.

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.

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?'”

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.

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.

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.