Ronel Blanco returns from suspension to shut down the A’s and lead Astros to victory

Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco works against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, May 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — 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 Sunday.

“Just like he didn’t waste a moment,” manager Joe Espada said of Blanco. “We were trying to be smart with his throws, but he was so effective. He was pounding the area. 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 mainly 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 and he did. He had all his pitches working. Amazing how he pounds his area. He stays aggressive, causes ground balls when he needs them, gets swings and misses. Just a really good 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 retire the next one,” manager Mark Kotsay said. “We kind of let the game get away from us.”

TRAINERS ROOM

Astros: RHP Cristian Javier did not cancel his scheduled pregame bullpen session due to “a little discomfort in his forearm,” Espada said. Javier is day to day. … 1B Jose Abreu, who accepted a minor league assignment after a slow start to the season, is expected to rejoin the team Monday in Seattle after going 0 for 7 with a walk in two rehab games with Sugarland.

Athletics: RHP Ross Stripling was scheduled to see a doctor Sunday to determine the severity of his strained right elbow.

FOLLOWING

Astros: LHP Framber Valdez (3-2, 4.32 ERA) is scheduled to start the first game of a four-game series at Seattle on Monday.

Athletics: Oakland is off for Memorial Day and will begin a three-game series at Tampa Bay on Tuesday with RHP Mitch Spence (3-2, 4.09) expected to start the opener.