Mariners’ Miller batting .429 in past six games

SEATTLE — Brad Miller vows not to think when he plays. He isn’t good at it, he says.

The last week, then, must have produced as few in-game thoughts as possible.

In his past six games, Miller, converted two weeks ago from an everyday shortstop to a utility player, is hitting .429 (9-for-21) with four home runs, five RBI, three doubles and three walks.

He’s homered three times in the Mariners’ last two games, including a solo shot over the right field fence with one out in the fifth inning of Seattle’s 5-0 victory on Sunday over the Boston Red Sox.

And he’s raised his season batting average from .225 on May 10 — the day before this hot streak began — to a far more encouraging .264.

“I think the biggest thing is just try to treat each opportunity as a new one and go out there and play, and really not try to read too much into where I’m hitting in the order or where I’m playing — just kind of go out there and go after it,” said Miller, who batted in the leadoff spot on Sunday for the first time this season.

Miller expressed some initial frustration over the club’s decision to call Chris Taylor up from Triple-A Tacoma to play every day at shortstop, a move that subsequently forced Miller into a utility role.

He’s mostly slotted in since as the team’s designated hitter, though he’s learning how to play the outfield and made his left-field debut on Thursday. On Sunday he was back at shortstop, where he made a nifty play on a sharp ground ball hit by Dustin Pedroia to end the third inning.

So far, it doesn’t appear as if his new role has shaken him.

“I just think from past experience, looking over your shoulder and all that stuff — worry’s not good for your performance, I don’t think,” Miller said. “We’re all out here battling. We all want to do well for the team. So it’s fine. Especially a game like that.”

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said Miller has so far lived up to the vision he plotted for him when he first discussed the move.

“This guy’s a special player and has the ability to move all over the field because he’s very athletic,” McClendon said, “and he hasn’t disappointed to this point.”