Blanco no-hitter powers Astros' first win of 2024 season

The Houston Astros marked their fourth game of the nascent 2024 regular season with a significant achievement, presenting new manager Joe Espada with his inaugural victory. This win was accompanied by a notable distinction as starting pitcher Rodel Blanco registered a no-hitter – the first of the year in Major League Baseball (MLB) – during Houston's 10-0 triumph over the Toronto Blue Jays. The match took place before an audience of 27,285 spectators at Minute Maid Park on April 1.

According to an MLB.com report, Blanco's no-hitter is recorded as the 17th in Astros franchise history. The report detailed how this momentous occasion arrived for Blanco, now aged 30, more than ten years after he worked part-time at a car wash in his native Dominican Republic to support his mother. His mother was present to witness her son's remarkable achievement.

MLB.com further reported that Blanco, initially signed by Houston for $5,000, walked two Toronto hitters and secured seven strikeouts. Following a total of 12 runs scored in their season-opening series against the New York Yankees, the Astros accumulated another ten runs against their visitors. Right fielder Kyle Tucker, catcher Yanier Diaz, and shortstop Jeremy Peña collectively hit five home runs, with both Tucker and Diaz contributing two each.

Houston ABC affiliate KTRK News reported that the Astros' last no-hitter occurred on August 1, 2023 when Framber Valdez was on the mound. KTRK also noted that 2024 marks the third consecutive season in which Houston has achieved such a feat.

With #Relentless as their slogan for this year, the Astros are aiming for an eighth consecutive trip to the American League Championship Series following their four games to two loss to reigning World Series champions Texas Rangers last fall.
Reflecting on his journey so far, Blanco told MLB.com: "It’s been a very long road traveled for me, a lot of ups and downs – a lot of falls and me getting back up. But I think all of that has been worth it for me to be able to get to this moment."