Fresh off no-hitter, Astros' Ronel Blanco aims to subdue Rangers

Houston Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco is making a strong argument to stay in the starting rotation after Justin Verlander and Jose Urquidy return from the injured list.

Blanco (1-0, 0.00 ERA) is set to make his first start since he threw the 17th no-hitter in franchise history when the Astros continue their four-game series against the rival Texas Rangers on Sunday in Arlington, Texas.

Texas has outscored the Astros 17-4 in winning the first two games of the series. Marcus Semien, Corey Seager and Wyatt Langford combined for six hits and three RBIs at the top of the order to lead the Rangers to a 7-2 win on Saturday.

The Astros hope for another stellar performance from Blanco, who threw 73 of his 105 pitches for strikes in a 10-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays last Monday. In pitching the no-hitter, the 30-year-old flashed a dazzling changeup in striking out seven and walking only two in making his eighth career start.

"Really good changeup, it was almost like a split, slider combo," Toronto manager John Schneider said. "Give him credit -- that's really hard to do. I know he hasn't been starting much, but he was really good, and his changeup was outstanding."

Blanco was expected to begin the season in the bullpen before the injuries to Verlander and Urquidy, who are expected to return within the next few weeks. The right-hander is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in four career games (one start) against the Rangers.

Texas will counter on Sunday with right-hander Dane Dunning (1-0, 4.26 ERA), who allowed three runs on three hits over 6 1/3 innings in a 9-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays last Monday.

Dunning, 29, took a one-hitter into the seventh inning and exited after throwing 93 pitches.

"He's got good command, he's got four pitches working both sides, movement, and just does a great job," Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. "What a great job he did. He probably ran out of gas there a little bit in the seventh, trying to push him through that, but it's a well-played game."

Jose Altuve is 6-for-12 with two home runs against Dunning, who is 0-2 with a 5.46 ERA in seven career games (four starts) vs. Houston.

Rangers left fielder Evan Carter has five hits in his last two games after going hitless in his first 15 at-bats to open the season.

"I felt I was seeing the ball really well, but the hits weren't falling, but now they are, and hopefully they keep falling," Carter said.

Texas also has received a spark from leadoff hitter Semien, who has reached base in all eight games this season.

Houston has lost seven of its first nine games of the season and is five games under .500 for the first time since June 12, 2016.

"Start of the season, it doesn't define the season you're going to have," Altuve said. "We still have 150-something games more, and I know a lot of things can happen and we can make things turn around."

Altuve had three hits in Saturday's loss to lead the Astros, who stranded 10 baserunners.

Houston manager Joe Espada is exercising patience with first baseman Jose Abreu, who is 2-for-26 this season after going hitless in four at-bats on Saturday.