MIAMI.- Fortune smiles on Dominican Ronel Blanco these days. First there was the birth of his daughter, then finding out that he would be in the Houston Astros rotation, news to which he more than responded by throwing a no-hitter and no runs as the Houston Astros beat the Houston Blue Jays 10-0. Toronto.
“I was super excited, I couldn’t believe it,” the 30-year-old right-hander told Julia Morales for AT&T Sports. “I felt good, thank God. I dedicate this game to him and my daughter.”
Blanco moved away from perfection in the first inning itself when he opened the game with a walk against George Springer. He then retired 26 batters until Springer again, in the ninth inning, reached first base on a walk.
The Dominican’s key was based on the execution of his change of speed. “It was a pitch that was part of the plan and it worked. He was good today,” said Blanco, who completed the 17th no-hitter and no-run game in the history of the Houston Astros.
However, the Dominican pitcher thought he was throwing the first NO-NO until he had 3 outs left.
“In the ninth inning when I came in I thought I could do it,” said Blanco, who had solid offensive support but with an ideal accomplice.
Cuban catcher Yainer Díaz hit two home runs to contribute to his teammate’s historic night.
“All his pitches were good, so the change could have had a better day,” Díaz commented on starter Blanco. With this pitch the right-hander achieved the seven strikeouts he delivered tonight.
Regarding the offense, the Cuban was also grateful to be able to say something with two full-round hits. “Second time in my career I hit 2 home runs,” he continued. “I feel good at the start of the season.”
The no-hitter was the first of the young major league season and the first by an Astros pitcher since Framber Valdez threw a 93-pitch no-hitter against the Guardians on August 1, 2023 at Minute Maid Park. . Houston’s 16 no-hitters are the most of any MLB expansion team added since 1961, according to MLB.com.
