Framber Valdez Says 'Priority' Was to Keep Focus in 1st Start Since Salazar Cross-Up

Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez and César Salazar each publicly denied that the starter purposefully crossed up the catcher during Tuesday's  7-1 loss against the New York Yankees.

Valdez, however, said that maintaining his composure was a priority during his start against the Texas Rangers on Sunday, a 4-2 loss.

"That was a priority for today," he told reporters after the game. "I was just trying to keep my focus no matter if they hit a home run."

Against the Yankees, Salazar motioned for Valdez to step off the mound, but Valdez ignored the request, remained in his motion and promptly gave up a grand slam to Trent Grisham. Valdez wasn't happy after the homer, and two pitches later threw a sinker middle-in that crossed up Salazar, who appeared to be expecting an off-speed pitch down in the zone.

"I recognize that was a bad outing for me," Valdez told reporters Sunday. "Between César and me, it was a bad moment, but we keep working and focus on the next outing and focus on keeping on working on my stuff and having a good outing."

Valdez was better on Sunday, giving up three runs and five hits in seven innings, striking out five. That included giving up a two-run homer to Jake Burger in the bottom of the sixth inning that extended Texas' lead, though he was more composed in the aftermath, retiring the next four batters he faced.