DeFrancesco named interim manager of Astros

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros have named Tony DeFrancesco interim manager a day after firing Brad Mills.

DeFrancesco was the manager of Houston’s Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City.

In his third season running the Astros, Mills was dismissed Saturday night after Houston lost to the Diamondbacks 12-4.

Houston entered Sunday’s game with the worst record in the major leagues at 39-82.

Hitting coach Mike Barnett and first base coach Bobby Meacham were also let go on Saturday. Dan Radison will take over in the interim as first base coach and Ty Van Burkleo will be the hitting coach.

Mills was the first big league manager to be fired this season. He was 76-86 in his first season with Houston and a franchise-worst 56-106 last year. He took over for Cecil Cooper, who was also fired during the season, as was his predecessor Phil Garner.