Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) reacts after popping out during the second inning of an MLB game at Minute Maid Park,Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )
All-Star or not Blanco continues to lead Astros.
Houston wins 7th straight at home as right-hander throws team-best 10th quality start.
HOUSTON — Just two days after missing out on an All-Star selection, Ronel Blanco only allowed two runs in seven innings in the Astros’ 4-3 win over the Marlins on Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park. With the victory, Houston extended its home winning streak to a season-high seven games.
The Astros, who began the day two games back of Seattle in the American League West, improved to 47-44.
Blanco’s only blemishes were a pair of homers — Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s leadoff blast and a solo shot from Jesús Sánchez in the seventh inning — along with a single from Bryan De La Cruz.
“It’s one of those things that we all think about,” Blanco said of possibly being an All-Star roster addition for the AL. “We all want to have a chance to be able to go there, but that’s something that I can’t really control. So my focus now is just to look forward and try to help this team get to the World Series.”
Blanco struck out seven, throwing 87 pitches and retiring 17 batters in a row during one stretch. He finished his night with a 2.53 ERA and notched his team-leading 10th quality start to improve to 9-3 on the season.
“He’s an All-Star on our club, and he’s pitched like an All-Star. And I think he deserves to be on the All-Star team for the American League,” Astros manager Joe Espada said before the game.
• Here are the 2024 All-Star rosters
Opposing managers seem to agree with Espada’s evaluation.
“Blanco’s tough,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “I think he should be in consideration to be an All-Star. I said that pregame. His changeup is really effective. He’s got enough fastball at the top, he kind of tunnels the changeup and fastball, and then a really good slider that guys have a tough time picking up.”
