Blanco with the NO-NO

Astros' Ronel Blanco stuns Blue Jays with no-hitter masterclass

Astros' Ronel Blanco stuns Blue Jays with no-hitter masterclass
Astros defeat the Blue Jays, 10-0. Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images.

Ronel Blanco of the Houston Astros threw the first no-hitter in the major leagues this season, blanking the Toronto Blue Jays 10-0 on Monday night.

The right-hander struck out seven and walked two. He walked George Springer to start the game and again with two outs in the ninth. When Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded out to end it, Blanco smiled broadly before raising his arms above his head just before being mobbed by teammates.

It was the 17th no-hitter in Astros history and the first in the majors since Philadelphia’s Michael Lorenzen threw one against the Washington Nationals on Aug. 9 of last year.

Close call

Alejandro Kirk hit a ball that Blanco deflected, and it rolled away from him to start the eighth. Mauricio Dubón, who had just entered the game for Jose Altuve at second base, charged in and grabbed it, before making the throw to first to beat Kirk to the bag.

Ernie Clement grounded out before Kevin Kiermaier popped out to shallow left field to end the inning.

The 30-year-old right-hander is in his third major league season after going 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 17 games with seven starts last season.

The Astros recorded their first win, beating the Blue Jays, 10-0.

Kyle Tucker and Yainer Diaz both homered twice.



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Another injury scare for Houston. Composite Getty Image.

Astros first baseman Christian Walker left Wednesday's game against the Athletics after being hit by a pitch on his right hand.

Manager Joe Espada said that he was hit on the top of his hand near his knuckles and that X-rays were negative.

“That's a good sign,” Espada said. “So we'll see how he feels tomorrow.”

Walker was hit by a 96 mph pitch from Luis Severino in the fourth inning. He writhed in pain for a few seconds before trotting to first base, where he was examined by a trainer.

He remained in the game and scored on a two-out single by Cam Smith.

Walker played defense in the next two innings before being replaced by pinch-hitter Mauricio Dubón in the bottom of the sixth.

“He played defense and once he came back for his at-bat, we asked him to grip a bat and he wasn't very comfortable doing that,” Espada said.

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