BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have fired pitching coach Bob McClure and replaced him with Randy Niemann for the rest of the season.
The slumping Red Sox have lost 12 of 18 games this month to fall off the pace in the competitive AL East. Boston’s 4.30 team ERA was 11th in the American League heading into Monday’s games.
The 60-year-old McClure became the pitching coach in December. He also spent six seasons in the same position with the Kansas City Royals. The left-hander was 68-57 with 52 saves and a 3.81 ERA in 19 seasons in the majors.
Niemann was elevated from assistant pitching coach. He is in his first year with Boston after spending 24 seasons in the New York Mets’ organization.
General manager Ben Cherington announced the changes on Monday.
