Alex Blandino Out For The Season Brandon Dixon Recalled

On the muddy infield Friday night, Alex Blandino completed a double play in the ninth inning of an 11-1 game.  Pittsburgh Pirates base runner, Max Moroff slid into second base as Blandino was landing.  The result was a season-ending ACL tear of Blandino's right knee.  It will take five to six months to rehab from surgery scheduled for Monday.

"We have a good support staff here," Blandino said.  "I'm looking forward to getting back out there as soon as possible."

Blandino led the Reds with nine pinch hits in 24 at bats while backing up Scooter Gennett at second base and Jose Peraza at shortstop.  Overall, Blandino had a .234 average with one home run and eight RBI.

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"He really did make a lot of strides," Jim Riggleman said of Blandino. "He came up from the minor leagues and solidified himself here.  He put himself in a position where we never thought he needs to go back.  He got enough at bats to stay sharp.  He led our club in pinch hits.  He got some big ones for us.  He did a nice job.  There is more than coming off the bench to hit for him in the future."

Dixon was recalled from Louisville to fill Blandino's role.  He was with the Reds for 29 games, hitting .219 with a home run and two RBI.  He was sent to Louisville to stay sharp.  Since he was sent to the Bats before the All-Star break, Dixon hit .346 in 30 games/  He hit for the cycle on Monday for the Bats.

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"Brandon Dixon did very well when he went back down," Riggleman said.  "He had done well when he was down there before.  When he was here, he wasn't getting enough at bats.  He got a little rust on him.  That's not what we wanted for him."

"I think Brandon could go over there and play short but Suarez is more natural if we needed to take Peraza out for a few innings or get a day off."

Blandino was the victim of a muddy field rather than a malicious slide.  The field was under tarp for a 2:55 rain delay but was played in a light rain for three hours.bhat this team has done," Blandino said. "I'm proud to be a part of it so far.  We've shown the people of Cincinnati that there is a lot to look forward to.  We have a great group of guys here in Cincinnati.  I'm sad and upset that I won't be a part of it the rest of this year but I can't wait to get back with them."