WATCH: Astros’ Ronel Blanco throws first no-hitter of 2024 season in 10-0 win against Blue Jays
Ronel Blanco became the 17th pitcher in Astros history to throw a no-hitter.
Ronel Blanco threw the 17th no-hitter in Astros’ history (Image via Imago/X)
Well that did not take long. In his eighth Major League start, Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco has already etched his name in history books. The 30-year-old threw the first no-hitter of the 2024 season in a 10-0 win against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday.
Surprisingly Blanco was not expected to start this game. He got this opportunity due to injuries to key starters Justin Verlander and Jose Urquidy. The Dominican pitcher would go on to take full advantage of this situation and stunned the world with his performance.
Blanco would walk two batters and pick up seven strikeouts while throwing a total of 105 pitches in the game. This turned out to be the 17th no-hitter in the history of the Astros and the first since Framber Valdez threw one last season against the Cleveland Guardians.
After the game, Blanco would open up about his journey to MLB and the ups and down he had. He though claimed it was all worth for this iconic moment.
It’s been a very long road traveled for me, a lot of ups and downs -- a lot of falls and me getting back up. But I think all of that has been worth it for me to be able to get to this moment.
Ronel Blanco said through his interpreter as per MLB.com.
As for the team, it was a much needed response. After being swept 4-0 by the New York Yankees, the Astros were looking on to get their season running against the Blue Jays. This performance not only got them their first win of the season but also ended a nine-game losing run at home which started from the 2023 postseason.
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Coach Joe Espada lauds Ronel Blanco for “impressive performance” against Blue Jays
Prior to the Astros-Blue Jays game, very few knew about Ronel Blanco. However, after what he achieved on Monday, he has now become the talk of the town. His coach Joe Espada would laud him for this “impressive performance” after the game and expressed he was happy for him.
Joe Espada (L) and Ronel Blanco (R) [Image via Imago]
It was last week that Espada informed Blanco about the plans of him starting this game. Coincidentally, it came on the same day when he and his wife welcomed their second child.
This guy, his story is fantastic. The way we signed him from the D.R., it’s a pretty remarkable story... Impressive performance. We needed that, and Blanco stepped up and gave us an incredible start and performance. His changeup, changing speeds -- it’s a pretty good lineup over there. What a week he’s had. Happy for him and his family.
Joe Espanda said on Ronel Blanco.
The Astros are now hoping to build on from this and will enter the field on Tuesday, hoping to claim their first series win this year. As for the Blue Jays, it was a night to forget as this became the eighth time they had been no-hit in their MLB history.
