Ronel Blanco, who made his major league debut at the age of 28, achieved a historic milestone in his eighth career start by pitching a no-hitter for the Houston Astros in a 10-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Houston.
Blanco, now 30, was an unexpected addition to the Astros' rotation at the start of the season, filling in for ace Justin Verlander who was sidelined with a shoulder injury.
He delivered a stunning performance against the Blue Jays, dominating their lineup with a devastating changeup.
Blanco sealed the no-hitter by inducing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to ground out for the final out, sparking jubilation among the 27,285 fans at Minute Maid Park.
This marked the 17th no-hitter in Astros' history, including playoffs, and set a new record for the earliest no-hitter in Major League Baseball history, surpassing Hideo Nomo's 2001 no-hitter for Boston by three days.
Blanco's achievement capped off a remarkable week for him. Just a day before his no-hitter, Blanco witnessed the birth of his second child, a daughter.
He then showcased his pitching prowess in an exhibition start for Houston's Class AAA club, securing a spot on the Astros' roster with a dominant 10-strikeout performance.
Blanco's no-hitter featured seven strikeouts and only two walks, with his changeup being a key weapon, thrown 36% of the time.
The Blue Jays struggled to connect with Blanco's pitches, resulting in a shutout performance in just 105 pitches.
In addition to Blanco's heroics, Kyle Tucker contributed with two home runs, helping Houston secure their first win of the season after a challenging start.
Astros' manager Joe Espada also made history by becoming the only person in major league history to earn his first career win as a manager via a no-hitter, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
Blanco's journey to this remarkable feat is a testament to his perseverance.
He didn't sign a professional contract until he was 22, working odd jobs including at a car wash while pursuing his baseball dream.
Despite not yet reaching the level of his teammate Framber Valdez, who threw a no-hitter in August 2023, Blanco's accomplishment has solidified his place in Astros' lore, capping off an unforgettable week and a remarkable rise in his career.