HOUSTON – Ronel Blanco of the Houston Astros was pulled after seven hitless innings Sunday against the Tigers, and Ryan Pressly allowed Detroit’s first hit, a single by Wenceel Pérez with two outs in the eighth.
Blanco, who threw the only no-hitter in the majors this season on April 1 against Toronto, didn’t allow a baserunner until he walked Gio Urshela with two outs in the fifth.
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He then walked Akil Baddoo and Carson Kelly to load the bases, but retired Zach McKinstry on a flyout.
Blanco threw 94 pitches with 65 strikes and tied a season best with eight strikeouts. He walked three.
Blanco made a good defensive play for the second out of the sixth when he grabbed a comebacker hit by Matt Vierling. He then sat down Riley Greene on a popup.
Urshela reached with two outs in the seventh on a throwing error by third baseman Alex Bregman. Blanco then retired Baddoo on a fly ball that center fielder Jake Meyers caught on the warning track.
Blanco was suspended for 10 games this season after being ejected from a start against the Oakland Athletics on May 14 for violating MLB’s prohibitions on foreign substances.
The 30-year-old Blanco was making the 20th start and 37th appearance of his major league career.
Houston led 4-0 after a three-run home run by Jose Altuve in the second inning.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb