Blanco returns from suspension, pounds strike zone in Astros win | The Arkansas Democratic Gazette

OAKLAND, Calif. – Ronel Blanco held Oakland in check for seven innings in his return from suspension and Kyle Tucker hit a two-run homer to lead the Houston Astros to a 5-2 victory over the Athletics on Sunday.

“Just like he didn’t waste a moment,” Houston manager Joe Espada said of Blanco. “We were trying to be smart with his pitches, but he was so effective. He was pounding the zone. His stuff was so good. It was hard not to let him go back out there and continue to save our bullpen. .. Blanco, I can’t say enough how good he’s been for us.”

Jose Altuve added a two-run single in front of an announced crowd of 10,927 to help the Astros win the series and improve to 18-4 against the A’s over the past two seasons.

Blanco (5-0) looked sharp in his return from a 10-game suspension for having a foreign substance in his glove during a start against Oakland in Houston last week.

“I really wasn’t focused on it,” Blanco said through an interpreter. “I was mostly focused on coming here and doing my job, trying to make my pitches and helping my team win.”

He struck out five of his first eight batters and allowed just four hits, including a solo home run by Max Schuemann, before turning the game over to the bullpen. Houston improved to 8-1 in games started this season by Blanco, who allowed just 33 hits in 54 1/3 innings.

“Another phenomenal start,” Espada said. “We needed him to go deep into the game and he did that. He made all his pitches work. Amazing how he hits his zone. He stays aggressive, causes ground balls when he needs to, gets swings and misses. Just a very solid performance.”

Shea Langeliers added a solo homer in the ninth for Oakland off Josh Hader.

Oakland starter Aaron Brooks (0-2) worked his way around the first three innings, inducing a grounding double play in the first and second, then striking out Alex Bregman to leave the bases loaded in the third.

Brooks looked set to work in the fourth inning, allowing just one run before two Schuemann errors at shortstop led to a big inning for Houston.

Schuemann bounced a two-out grounder from Mauricio Dubon for an error, then threw it wildly to second base for his second error on the play, allowing runners to advance to second and third base.

Altuve followed with a two-run single and Tucker then hit his 18th home run to give the Astros a 5-0 lead.

“After that play, you wish you could take the next one out,” Oakland manager Mark Kotsay said. “We kind of let the game get away from us.”

Kyle Tucker of the Houston Astros, right, watches his two-run home run past Oakland Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros hits a two-run single against the Oakland Athletics in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Oakland Athletics shortstop Max Schuemann throws to first base after forcing the Houston Astros’ Jeremy Peña, left, out to second base on a double play hit by Jon Singleton in the second inning of a baseball game in Oakland, California on Sunday, May 26. , 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Oakland Athletics’ Max Schuemann (12) is congratulated by third base coach Eric Martins (3) after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay, left, walks to the mound to make a pitching change as pitcher Aaron Brooks, right, is relieved during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, in California, Sunday, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)