I was ready to declare the end of the run of quality rookie pitching performances after the Mariners scored three runs in the first three innings off just-recalled Ronel Blanco. Those two homers just looked too easy. I was ready for Blanco to get bombed the way Cristian Javier has been getting bombed lately.
But no, you can’t blame this loss on the injuries to the Astros’ front-line pitching. Blanco righted himself and gave the Astros their third straight quality start from a rookie pitcher that wasn’t even close to the rotation when the season started.
Blanco allowed three runs on three hits, two walks with nine (yes 9) Ks in six innings.