PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Phillies hitting coach Milt Thompson has been dismissed and replaced with Greg Gross, who served as former manager Larry Bowa’s hitting coach.
Manager Charlie Manuel made the move before Friday night’s game against Colorado.
Thompson was fired after Philadelphia completed a 2-6 road trip. He had been in charge of the team’s hitting since 2005, and helped the Phillies lead the league in runs scored in 2006, ’07 and last year.
Philadelphia ranks 12th in the National League in hitting and on-base percentage this season, though, and has been held to one run or less 23 times through 95 games. Injuries have played a big part in the struggles — Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Placido Polanco and Carlos Ruiz have all missed time.
