Houston Astros’ Blanco Throws First Career No-Hitter

The Houston Astros got their first win of the 2024 season as a young starting pitcher notched the 17th no-hitter in franchise history.

Apr 1, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco (56) celebrates with / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco threw a no-hitter in his first start of the 2024 season and the eighth start of his career as the Astros defeated the Toronto Blue Jays, 10-0, on Monday at Minute Maid Park.

The Astros (1-4) were coming off a four-game sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees and were just looking for a win. Getting a no-hitter from Blanco came out of nowhere.

Blanco made his debut as a starting pitcher less than a year ago and made his last start on Aug. 2 last year, which was a no-decision against the Cleveland Guardians.

Blanco (1-) struck out seven and walked two in the contest, which saw the Astros jump on Blue Jays starting pitcher Bowden Francis for seven runs and 10 hits in 5.1 innings of work.

From there, the Astros cruised offensively and trusted Blanco to carry them to the finish line.

Blanco walked former Astros player George Spring to start the game, and from there, he retired the next 26 batter before he walked Springer again with two outs in the top of the ninth.

After Springer took first base, Blanco finished off the no-hitter by getting Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to ground out to Astros second baseman Mauricio Dubón to end the game.

Blanco threw the 17th no-hitter in Astros history and the last no-hitter since left-hander Framber Valdez threw one on Aug. 1 of last season. Not only was it Blanco’s first career no-hitter, it was his first career compete game and just his third career Major League win.  

This is the second straight Astros no-hitter where the starter completed the game. The previous two no-hitters were combined no-hitters.

Cristian Javier, Hector Neris and Ryan Pressly combined for a no-hitter on June 25, 2002. Then, in the postseason, Javier, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Pressly combined for a no-hitter in the World Series on Nov. 2, 2002.