The San Diego Padres will be moving forward this season and will try to bounce back from a bad start under Pat Murphy who will be the club's interim manager for the rest of the season.
The Padres recently parted ways with former manager Bud Black before their regular season series opener against the Oakland Athletics, which they loss 9-1 under bench coach David Roberts who took over for Black during the game.
Black compiled a 32-33 record before being sacked and failed to bring San Diego to the postseason in his nine-year tenure with the Padres.
The Padres addressed the vacancy appointing Murphy as their interim manager for the rest of the season and joined the team in their 6-5 loss to the A's Tuesday in the second game of their series.
Padres general manager A.J. Preller cited Murhpy's experience and leadership as the reasons why he decided on making him the interim manager.
Preller also discussed Murphy's awareness with the club and players saying, "The biggest thing is the continuity. He knows our players in our system."
"He's managed quite a few of the players here, either in the Minors or rehabilitation assignments. He's been around them in Spring Training," he added.
The 56-year-old has coached in the collegiate ranks for Notre Dame and Arizona State and also managed the Padres' minor league affiliate the El Paso Chihuahuas.
Murphy amassed a 180-172 record for El Paso in three seasons of managing the club.
Preller believes Murphy earned the appointment and added that it will give the seasoned coach a chance to show what he can do for the Padres.
"It's definitely an opportunity that he's earned, and I think it's is a chance for him to go out for the team to go out and show what he's capable of. I think we'll re-evaluate as we go and at the end of the year," Preller said.
