Sound defense has been a hallmark for the Astros this season. They showed that once again at several key junctures in Tuesday's win over the Diamondbacks.

Framber Valdez pitched seven effective innings for his 10th straight win, Brice Matthews hit his third homer in two games and the Houston Astros rallied to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-1 on Tuesday night.

The Diamondbacks suffered a tough defeat at home against the Houston Astros, dropping to 5 1/2 games back in the wild-card chase.

El dominicano Framber Valdez lanzó siete entradas efectivas para su décima victoria consecutiva, Brice Matthews conectó su tercer jonrón en dos juegos y

In his return to Arizona, Christian Walker said the Diamondbacks didn't make a formal offer to keep him in free agency.

The Diamondbacks open a three-game series with the Houston Astros at Chase Field with Arizona's Zac Gallen facing Houston's Colton Gordon.

After rookie Brice Matthews' coming-out party Monday, Houston will turn to veteran ace left-hander Framber Valdez in an attempt to win the series from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Yordan Alvarez, sidelined since May 2, says he's swinging at "60, 65 percent" as he tries to return from a hand injury.