Blashtoff: Rookie launches 1st career homer

SAN DIEGO — Jabari Blash launched the first home run of his career Wednesday afternoon, in the Padres’ 12-3 win over the Brewers, solidifying his arrival in the big leagues in a unique 2016 season.

The 27-year-old outfielder swung at the first pitch he saw out of David Goforth’s hand in the seventh inning and sent a 93-mph fastball over the fence in right-center field.

“Definitely [excited],” Blash said after the game. “First one of, hopefully, many to come.”

The home run signifies the new comfort Blash has felt in the batter’s box during his second stint with the Padres this season. He opened the year with San Diego as a Rule 5 Draft pick and struggled to a .120/.241/.160 slash line while serving as a reserve and finding playing time only sparingly.

After being designated for assignment, being reacquired by the Mariners and then traded back to the Padres within a span of six days in May, Blash was sent to Triple-A, where he played every day and displayed the power/patience combination that the Padres have been infatuated with. Blash hit 11 home runs in 62 games while drawing 41 …

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