Tigers fire pitching and bullpen coach

[September 29, 2008]  DETROIT (AP) -- The Detroit Tigers' disappointing season cost two coaches their jobs.

Manager Jim Leyland said Sunday that pitching coach Chuck Hernandez and bullpen coach Jeff Jones were fired.

The Tigers' 8-7, 11-inning loss to Tampa Bay in their final home game of the season encapsulated their pitching miseries.

Detroit took a 5-0 lead after four innings before Zach Miner was touched up for three runs in the fifth. The Rays added four runs in the eighth -- the 13th time this season that Tigers relievers lost a lead after the seventh inning.

Detroit went into Sunday's game with a 4.87 ERA, third worst in the American League.

[Associated Press]

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