Ronel Blanco strikes out 8 in 6 innings as Astros beat Giants 3-1

The right-hander said his fastball, slider and changeup all worked — but he went to his fastball more often than his offspeed pitches and caught some of the Giants hitters off guard.

“We needed a good outing from Blanco, and he gave it to us,” Astros manager Joe Espada said.

Houston took a 3-1 lead in the fifth when two runs were scored on an infield RBI single by Alex Bregman. With two outs and runners on second and third, Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman caught Bregman’s softly hit ball with his bare hand, but threw it away from first for an error, allowing the two runners to score.

Espada credited his team for putting the ball in play in RBI situations, with all of his runs scoring on balls that didn’t leave the infield.

“Anything can happen when you put the ball in play, and we did it with two outs,” Espada said. “You don’t see Chapman throw a lot of balls, but we were fortunate enough that he threw one.”

Ryan Pressly earned his second save of the season, striking out two in the ninth. Houston held the Giants to a season-low three hits.

The Astros, who won their fourth game this season by scoring three runs or less, can earn their third straight series victory with a win on Wednesday.

Houston responded after blowing a 3-1 10th inning lead Monday against the Giants.

“It’s easy to let last night’s loss linger and drag yourself into Game 2, but this group is bouncing back,” Espada said.

Both teams scored a run in the third. Dubon came home on Jose Altuve’s groundout after hitting a leadoff double, and Brett Wisely scored for the Giants. Dubon, who played for San Francisco from 2019-22, was 2-for-3 with two doubles.

“I think the quality of hitting has been good with runners in scoring position,” Bregman said. “Obviously at the start of the year we weren’t as good, but we’re starting to play a lot better offensively – like we usually do.”

San Francisco starter Jordan Hicks (4-3) allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings. Giants manager Bob Melvin said Hicks had been ill the past few days and had pitched well considering the circumstances.

“I think, based on what he faced today, the line doesn’t look great (but) I think he threw pretty well,” Melvin said.

Astros: C Yainer Diaz still has soreness in his right index finger after being hit by a foul ball Sunday. Houston recalled César Salazar from Triple-A Sugar Land for catching from deep while Victor Caratini continues to start. OF Joey Loperfido was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move. … OF Kyle Tucker, on the injured list with a bruised right shin, is doing better and was doing exercises in the weight room before the game.

Giants: Chapman returned to the lineup after missing two games with hamstring soreness. … RHP Alex Cobb (shoulder) felt ‘good’ after throwing a 20-25 pitch bullpen, Melvin. … LHP Blake Snell (left groin strain) will throw a mound Wednesday. … SS Marco Luciano (right hamstring sprain) is about to begin a rehabilitation mission.

RHP Logan Webb (5-5, 2.92 ERA) pitches for the Giants against LHP Framber Valdez (5-3, 3.53) in the series finale on Wednesday.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb