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In a thrilling 10-inning battle at Minute Maid Park, the Houston Astros emerged victorious over the Oakland Athletics, claiming a 2-1 victory. The game took an unexpected turn when Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco was ejected in the fourth inning following a foreign substance check.Despite the early setback, the Astros managed to take an early lead in the second inning when Alex Bregman launched a solo home run off Athletics starter JP Sears. Bregman continued his impressive performance, becoming the first player in franchise history to record an extra-base hit in five consecutive at-bats.The Athletics rallied in the eighth inning, tying the game at 1-1 on a single by Brent Rooker. However, the Astros regained the lead in the 10th inning when Victor Caratini drove in the winning run with an RBI single.Josh Hader earned the win for the Astros, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the top of the 10th inning. The veteran closer struck out pinch-hitter Esteury Ruiz and induced a groundout from Rooker to end the threat.Blanco's ejection for using a foreign substance is likely to result in a 10-game suspension. The right-hander, who threw a no-hitter in his season debut, has a 2.09 ERA this season.In other news, Oakland reinstated second baseman Zack Gelof from the injured list, while the Astros sent outfielder Chas McCormick on a rehabilitation assignment.