During a game between the Houston Astros and the Oakland Athletics, Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco was ejected at the start of the fourth inning after umpires discovered a foreign substance on his glove. The third base umpire, Laz Diaz, found “the stickiest stuff I’ve felt on a glove” during a routine check before Blanco threw a pitch in the fourth inning. The discovery led to Blanco’s immediate ejection from the game, causing quite a stir.
Upon finding the suspicious substance, umpire Erich Bacchus confiscated Blanco’s glove and took it to be further inspected. The crew discussed the issue on the mound, and Blanco was eventually ejected from the game. It was noted that while there was nothing on Blanco’s glove during a previous check in the first inning, the foreign substance was discovered during the second check before the fourth inning.
Blanco denied using an illegal substance on his glove, claiming that it was likely rosin from his left arm. However, Espada, the Astros manager, mentioned seeing “white powder” inside Blanco’s glove, resembling rosin, which is not allowed to be used on the non-pitching hand. Blanco made a case to the umpires that if they found something sticky in his glove, they should have also checked his hands.
The crew did not identify what the substance was but found it to be sticky enough for concern. MLB has been cracking down on the use of foreign substances by pitchers, and Blanco is likely to face a 10-game suspension for the infraction. Despite Blanco’s denial and the confusion surrounding the discovery, the ejection stands as a warning to other pitchers regarding the consequences of using illegal substances for grip enhancement.
Blanco, who had a successful season debut with a no-hitter, now faces scrutiny over the use of foreign substances. His ejection from the game against the Athletics not only affected him but also led to a change in pitching as Tayler Scott replaced him on the mound. The Astros, who were leading 1-0 at the time of Blanco’s ejection, managed to secure a 2-1 victory over the Athletics despite the unexpected turn of events.
The discovery of a foreign substance on Ronel Blanco’s glove during a game between the Astros and the Athletics highlights the ongoing issue of pitchers using illegal substances for grip enhancement. The consequences of such actions, as seen through Blanco’s ejection and potential suspension, serve as a reminder of the MLB’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game. Moving forward, it is essential for pitchers to adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by the league to avoid similar incidents and uphold fair play in baseball.
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