MILWAUKEE — Pat Murphy isn’t looking at the batting average; to the San Diego Padres’ interim manager, numbers alone can’t put a value on Alexi Amarista, who recorded his second consecutive two-hit game after going 0-for-23 at the plate.
“Batting average isn’t the thing to look at,” Murphy said Monday afternoon. “It’s how he affects this team. … He’s still our super-utility. He’s just playing every day.”
Murphy has pegged Amarista as his “super utility” player but has started the 26-year-old at short four straight games, leaving veteran Clint Barmes on the bench for the time being.
“I met with Clint the other day,” Murphy said. “He’s getting a raw deal. He’s played well enough to stay in there, but sometimes it’s matchups and things like that, and then Lexi gets going.
“Clint gets to come off the bench, which is not his best role but it could change again. Just being honest, Clint’s getting kind of the raw end of the deal. But he’s a pro.”
Barmes is batting .265 in 65 games this season, his 13th in the majors and first with San Diego.
Amarista is in his fifth big league season and batting .205 in 79 games.