HOUSTON (AP) — Ronel Blanco struck out a career-high 11 in eight innings and Shawn Dubin accomplished the two-hitter to steer the Houston Astros to a 6-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.
Yainer Diaz hit a three-run homer within the third to present Houston an early lead and Christian Walker added two hits and three RBIs to assist the Astros take the sequence 2-1.
It was the second-longest begin of Blanco’s profession and longest since he tossed a no-hitter in his season debut final yr in a 10-0 win over the Blue Jays on April 1.
Blanco (3-3) retired the primary 9 batters, with six strikeouts, earlier than strolling TJ Friedl to start out the fourth. He sat down the subsequent 4 batters earlier than Spencer Steer received Cincinnati’s first hit on a double to the nook of left area with one out within the fifth.
However Blanco rapidly received again on monitor and retired the subsequent 9 batters earlier than Jose Trevino doubled with one out within the eighth. Will Benson grounded out earlier than Blanco struck out Santiago Espinal to finish his day and head to the dugout to a standing ovation.
It was a much-needed efficiency for a crew that used six relievers in a 13-9 loss Saturday night time after starter Lance McCullers Jr. allowed seven runs and was pulled after getting only one out.
The hovering residence run by Diaz off rookie Chase Petty (0-2) got here with one out within the third inning to make it 3-0 and prolong his hitting streak to 9 video games.
The Astros led by 4 once they loaded the bases with no outs within the sixth. Walker singled on a line drive to heart area to attain two and make it 6-0.
Petty allowed six hits and 4 runs with six walks in three-plus innings in his second main league begin.
The Astros have been with out Jose Altuve a day after he left within the third inning with tightness in his proper hamstring.
Supervisor Joe Espada stated Altuve was feeling higher Sunday and he expects him to return to the lineup in a few days.
Key second
Blanco struck out the facet within the first inning to set the tone for a dominate outing.
Key stat
Blanco had struck out 9 batters 3 times earlier than his career-high strikeout efficiency Sunday.
Up subsequent
The Reds are off Monday and RHP Ryan Gusto (3-1, 2.93 ERA) will begin for Houston within the opener of a three-game sequence in opposition to Kansas Metropolis on Monday night time.
