Blanco protests the referee’s sending-off order
Ronel Blanco (30, Houston Astros), the protagonist of the first no-hitter (no-hit, no-run) in the 2024 American Professional Baseball Major League (MLB), was suspended for 10 games for ‘use of foreign substances’. .
The MLB Secretariat announced on the 16th (Korean time), “Blanco will be suspended for 10 games and will be fined. The amount of the fine will not be disclosed.”
The Athletic reported, “Blanco said he would appeal the suspension before the MLB Secretariat makes a decision.”
Blanco started the home game against the Oakland Athletics held at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, USA on the 15th and pitched 3 innings without allowing any runs while allowing only 4 hits.
However, just before he pitched in the top of the 4th inning, he was ordered to leave after being found to have used a foreign substance during the umpire’s glove inspection.
After closely examining Blanco’s fingers and glove, the referee determined that he had smeared a foreign substance on the ball and sent him off.
Referee Erich Backus said, “When I looked at Blanco’s glove in the first inning, there was no problem. But in the fourth inning, I found a very sticky substance inside Blanco’s glove. I have never felt this much stickiness since I started refereeing. “There is none,” he said.
Blanco and Houston coach Joe Espada claimed, “While touching the rosin bag, the rosin powder entered the glove and mixed with sweat.”
However, the referee defined it as a ‘foreign substance’ and ordered him to leave, and the MLB Secretariat also issued a suspension.
The more damaged the baseball is, the better it is for the pitcher. This is because more changes occur in the pitcher’s ball flying toward the batter.
This is also the reason why applying foreign substances to the ball is prohibited in all leagues.
In particular, the MLB Secretariat has instructed umpires to actively inspect pitchers for use of foreign substances during games starting in June 2021.
On April 2 of this year, Blanco pitched his first no-hitter of the season by pitching 2 walks, 7 strikeouts, and no runs in 9 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays without giving up a single hit.
He continued his momentum and pitched well this season with 4 wins, no losses, and an ERA of 2.09.
However, with this disciplinary action, he was labeled as a ‘pitcher who used a foreign substance’. 한국야동