Blandino collects career-high four hits

Alex Blandino knows hitting isn't just about his action at the plate, it's also about his reaction to pitchers. With that in mind, he's found a recipe for success.

The Reds' seventh-ranked prospect used his focus on pitch selection to collect a career-high four hits Saturday night in Class A Advanced Daytona's 9-1 rout of Tampa at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

"Seeing the ball well tonight. I got an opportunity to drive runs in and have productive at-bats, so that's always the goal each night to help the team win," he said. "Anytime you can get a multi-hit game going, you try to focus and try to pile on as many as possible."

With help from the wind, Blandino began his career night with his first triple of the season in the first inning, then singled in three straight at-bats.

"It's all about pitch selection and having good swings on good pitches, just trying not to do too much, just working with what the pitcher is giving you in a hitter's count," the 22-year-old shortstop said. "Just executing on the pitches the guys give you."

The Tortugas batted around in a six-run fourth. Blandino came up with the bases loaded and one out -- the perfect time for his third hit of the night.

"[Tampa starter Conner Kendrick] was throwing a lot of off-speed pitches earlier in the count. I was really trying to sit on one of those off-speed pitches and hit the other way," he said. "Anytime the offense can put up runs early for our staff, which is really talented, [it's great]."

With that single, Blandino recorded his first two RBIs of the season before scoring on a double by Reds No. 27 prospect Sebastian Elizalde, who ended up driving in four runs. 

The Stanford product got off to a slow start in the Florida State League, going hitless in his first four games. He's 7-for-16 in his last four contests. 

"I haven't really made any big adjustments, honestly," he said. "I had a bit of bad luck. I wasn't striking out too much, I was hitting balls hard right at people or certain hits weren't falling in. I feel comfortable in the box and I'm staying focused. I've been working hard and I think it will pay off in the long run."

Reds No. 3 prospect Nick Howard (2-0) started for Daytona and allowed an unearned run on two hits and five walks with four strikeouts in five innings. Joel Bender gave up two hits over the final four frames for his first save as the Tortugas improved to 5-0 at home. 

Daytona features three players in the lineup who played collegiately, including Reds No. 17 prospect Taylor Sparks, a UC-Irvine product who homered Saturday. Howard, who anchors the rotation, attended the University of Virginia.

"I think it's given us a good amount of exposure and just playing in a lot of big games with a lot of fans and going through a season being on a team where winning is important. In college, it's life or death," Blandino said. "A lot of these guys are grinders. They want to win and they know how to win, which is the important part."

Kendrick (0-1) surrendered seven runs on eight hits and two walks while fanning five over 3 1/3 innings.