Seeking spark, Padres drop Everth to No. 8 spot

SEATTLE -- The Padres are willing to try just about anything to get shortstop Everth Cabrera going right offensively.

On Monday, that meant dropping him to No. 8 in the lineup for the first game of a two-game series at Safeco Field against the Mariners.

"The last 40, 50 at-bats have gone the other direction," said Padres manager Bud Black.

Cabrera, who has hit either first or second this season, entered play hitting .225 this season with a .102 average in June.

This is the first time Cabrera has hit eighth since 2012.

Cabrera hit a career-best .283 last season and was the team's lone All-Star representative but missed the final 50 games of the season after testing positive for testosterone.