Ronel Blanco struckout eight in six innings, Mauricio Dubon scored twice and the Houston Astros defeated the San Francisco Giants 3-1 on Tuesday night.
Blanco (6-2) allowed one run on three hits to become the first pitcher in Astros history to go undefeated in his first nine career starts, improving to 6-0 away from home. His eight strikeouts tied a season high.
Houston took a 3–1 lead in the fifth when two runs were scored on an RBI infield single by Alex Bregman. With two outs and runners on second and third base, Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman grabbed Bregman’s softly hit ball with his bare hand, but threw wide of first base due to an error, allowing both runners to score.
Ryan Pressly earned his second save of the season and struck out two in the ninth to cap a three-hitter. The Astros can record their third win in a row with a win on Wednesday.
Both teams scored a run in the third. Dubon came home on a Jose Altuve groundout after a leadoff double, and Brett Wisely homered for the Giants. Dubon, who played for San Francisco from 2019-22, went 2 for 3 with two doubles.
Giants starter Jordan Hicks (4-3) gave up three runs in 4 2/3 innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Astros: C Yainer Diaz is still dealing with sore right index finger after being hit by a foul ball on Sunday. Houston recalled César Salazar from Triple-A Sugar Land for catching depth, 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 improving and was working out in the weight room before the game.
Giants: Chapman returned to the lineup after missing two games with a sore hamstring. … RHP Alex Cobb (shoulder) felt “great” after throwing a bullpen of 20-25 pitches, according to manager Bob Melvin. … LHP Blake Snell (left groin strain) will throw off a mound on Wednesday. … SS Marco Luciano (right hamstring injury) is about to begin a rehab assignment.
NEXT ONE
RHP Logan Webb (5-5, 2.92 ERA) pitches for the Giants against LHP Framber Valdez (5-3, 3.53) in the series finale Wednesday.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
