Ronel Blanco and the Houston Astros will play the host Oakland Athletics in the rubber match of their three-game series on Sunday afternoon, hoping to complete what he began in mid-May.
After the Astros swept a four-game home series against the A’s from May 13 to 16, the teams faced off on equal terms in Oakland this weekend, with the Astros winning 6-3 on Friday and the A’s winning 3-1 on Saturday. Blanco played a minor role in the previous Astros sweep, shutting out the A’s on four hits over the first three innings of a 2-1 victory on May 14 in the series’ second game.
However, before reaching the dugout after the third inning, the right-hander passed an umpire’s check and was ejected for having a sticky material on his glove. He was subsequently suspended for ten days, which expired on Saturday.
Neither Blanco, who pitched a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays in his season start on April 1, nor any other Astros player has confessed guilt in the incident.
“Ronel sweats heavily. “It’s like a guy running up and down a basketball court,” general manager Dana Brown explained. “I believe it was a combination of rosin and sweat, and it is the umpire’s decision. He decided that it was a sticky substance, thus we are at his mercy.
Of (thing). However, before reaching the dugout after the third inning, the right-handed batter passed an umpire’s inspection and was dismissed for having a sticky substance on his glove. He was subsequently suspended for ten days, which ended on Saturday.
Neither Blanco, who pitched a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays in his season debut on April 1, nor any other Astros player has admitted guilt in the incident.
“Ronel sweats considerably. “It’s like a guy running up and down a basketball floor,” general manager Dana Brown explained. “I believe it was a combination of rosin and sweat, and the umpire made the decision. He concluded it was a sticky substance, therefore we’re at his mercy.
He may expect a different appearance from the A’s this time. Last week, the club promoted outfielders Daz Cameron and Miguel Andujar from Triple-A, and both have made positive contributions.
Cameron, who blasted a game-tying home run in his A’s debut Thursday against the Colorado Rockies, drove in Oakland’s third run on Saturday with a single. Andujar, who did not play in Saturday’s 3-1 victory, had three hits and two RBIs in his debut game with Oakland on Friday.
“Big hit for Cameron,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay commented later. “This is a youngster that joined with us to have a chance to make the big leagues, and we like what we see. He has played in two games and made an impression.”
Aaron Brooks (0-1, 4.15 ERA), another current A’s player who began the season in Triple-A, will make his third start for the parent club in the season’s finale.
The 34-year-old has pitched 13 innings for the Athletics in his two starts, allowing only three runs. His big-league debut occurred on May 15 in a 3-0 loss to Houston, as he allowed all three runs on seven hits in seven innings.
Brooks has had six career starts versus the Astros, going 0-5 with a 7.09 ERA.
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