Valdez (6-3) lost Thursday's 5-3 game at the hands of the Twins, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks with seven strikeouts in 6.2 innings.
Valdez pitched well aside from a tumultuous second inning where he allowed five of nine baserunners and all four runs, but Houston was unable to overcome the early deficit. The four runs surrendered tie for the second most in any of Valdez's 13 starts. Houston is 9-4 in games where the lefty toes the rubber.