Ronel Blanco surprised everyone Monday night.
The Houston Astros right-hander hurled a no-hitter in a 10-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. It would have been hard to find a more unlikely candidate for a no-no. The 30-year-old Blanco was making only his eighth career start. He didn’t make his MLB debut until age 28, and had below-par numbers last season, with a 4.50 ERA (5.99 FIP) and a 1.481 WHIP.
When the Astros originally signed Blanco in 2016, he was working at a car wash in the Dominican Republic. And he was only getting the start Monday because of injuries on the pitching staff.
No one would have ever guessed any of that were true as they watched Blanco mow down the Blue Jays. He struck out seven and allowed only two walks. His gem becomes the earliest in the season an MLB no-hitter has been thrown.
"The 30-year-old makes magic on April Fools' Day!" – @RealToddKalas on the call as Ronel Blanco throws a no-hitter in the 8th start of his career! pic.twitter.com/yudnPNyUCf
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 2, 2024
It’s only April but this is already a candidate for feel-good story of the year. To top it all off, Blanco’s mother, Maria, was at the game to give him a big hug afterward.
Astros fans were obviously ecstatic, but even Astros haters — and there are many of them out there — loved Blanco’s big night.
How can you not be romantic about baseball? https://t.co/Um0bmkbc42
— Diego Montenegro (@DMontenegro96) April 2, 2024
Eight years ago working at a car wash,
Eighth start a NO Hitter
Ronel Blanco#Relentless
We love you— Kathy
(@katchapjj48) April 2, 2024
Don’t care who you root for, this stuff is special
https://t.co/fLOApX7mFG — Evan Gates (@thegatesofevan) April 2, 2024
I despise the Astros but this is a pretty cool story https://t.co/1oFlupaBvx
— 22♡SZN (@aybaybaydelia) April 2, 2024
I’m a sucker for an underdog story. Congrats to Blanco! https://t.co/4e6gj7sl6X
— Ariel B. (@Magnetikat) April 2, 2024
[Jeff Passan]