HOUSTON - Astros All-Star pitcher Framber Valdez was pulled early from Game 2 of the ALCS against the Texas Rangers after his second straight poor postseason outing.
Valdez was lifted after recording two outs in the third inning, when the Rangers built a 5-1 lead.
The Rangers' scored in the first inning after a pair of errors by Valdez allowed Robbie Grossman to reach base and Marcus Semien to plate their first run. Adolis Garcia's RBI single scored Corey Seager, then Mitch Garver singled on a line drive to score Grossman. Nathaniel Lowe added to the scoring with another RBI single to score Garcia.
Yordan Alvarez was able to get one run back for the Astros with a solo homer to right center field in the second inning. But Rangers catcher Jonah Heim responded with a solo shot of his own in the third.
Astros manager Dusty Baker pulled Valdez after just 64 pitches through 2.2 innings, far from ideal considering how much Valdez has accomplished over the past few seasons.
In his last start a week ago against the Minnesota Twins in the ALDS, Valdez lasted just 4.1 innings after giving up five earned runs. It was the only game the Twins won in the series.
Alex Bregman hit another solo home run in the fourth inning to cut the Astros' deficit to 5-2. The Astros are already trailing the Rangers in this ALCS 1-0 after losing Justin Verlander's start Sunday night.
