Padres give Gyorko much-needed breather vs. Giants

SAN DIEGO -- Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko got his first day off this season Sunday when manager Bud Black slotted Alexi Amarista into the starting lineup in Gyorko's place.

Black said the day off would give Gyorko, who had played every inning of the team's 16 games thus far, a much-needed breather both physically and mentally.

"I think this is just a day for Jedd to watch a game," Black said Sunday. "I think it will give his mind a little rest, based on a number of factors. We'll put him back in there tomorrow in Milwaukee. It's tough to take him out of the lineup."

Gyorko was coming off a Saturday night in which he went 0-for-3 and was hitless in his last 10 at-bats. In addition, Gyorko has had a lot on his mind recently, having signed a contract extension Monday worth $35 million.

He entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning of Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Giants, hitting a lineout, then played the final two innings at second base.

Black gave Gyorko a heads-up that he would get Sunday off after Saturday's game to ensure Gyorko got as much of a mental break as possible.

"We told him last night so he wouldn't worry so much about those at-bats from that game," Black said.