Angels fire three-time Manager of the Year Maddon

The Los Angeles Angels fired manager Joe Maddon on Tuesday, a day after they equaled their franchise single-season record by losing their 12th consecutive game.

Third base coach Phil Nevin began his tenure as interim manager when the Angels (27-29) hosted the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night.

The 68-year-old Maddon went 130-148 with the Angels, who hired him before the coronavirusshortened 2020 season for his self-described dream job. Maddon spent three decades of his career as a player and coach for the Angels before going on to an impressive managerial career that has included three Manager of the Year awards.

After finishing with losing records in Maddon’s first two seasons, the Angels were off to a strong 27-17 start to this season before their current losing streak began. The skid has dropped them 8 1⁄2 games behind Houston for the AL West lead.

The Angels were shut out 1-0 in Maddon’s final game by the Boston Red Sox and journeyman starter Michael Wacha, who threw a three-hitter against the Halos’ starstudded lineup late Monday.

Even Angels superstart Mike Trout has been struggling, before a single in the first inning Monday off Wacha ended a careerworst 0-for-26 drought.

Maddon excelled as a manager in Tampa Bay and with the Chicago Cubs, who famously ended their 108-year World Series championship drought during his tenure in 2016. He is 1,382-1,216 in parts of 19 seasons as a manager.

Maddon is the second manager to be fired this season. Philadelphia’s Joe Girardi was dismissed last week, and the Phillies promptly swept the Angels.

ESCOBAR’S CYCLE

Eduardo Escobar

knew he needed a triple to complete his first cycle and he was going to do whatever it took to get it. Sure enough, he did. Escobar hit a two-run triple with two outs in the ninth inning, giving him six RBI while boosting Carlos Carrasco and the New York Mets to an 11-5 win Monday night against the San Diego Padres.

The switch-hitter sent an opposite-field drive off lefty reliever Tim Hill

over the head of right fielder Nomar Mazara

and off the wall. Escobar sped around the bases and pulled into third in front of his cheering teammates lining the dugout rail. He pumped his right arm, clapped his hands and blew a kiss skyward.

“This is a great moment. It’s unbelievable,” the 33-year-old third baseman said. “It’s hard hitting the cycle at this level. Today’s a special night for me. Most important is the win.”

It was the 11th cycle in Mets history and the first since Scott Hairston on April 27, 2012.

It was also the first cycle at San Diego’s Petco Park, which opened in 2004.

ELSEWHERE Nationals:

Stephen Strasburg will face the Marlins at loanDepot park on Thursday, Washington manager Dave Martinez said Tuesday. It will be Strasburg’s first majorleague appearance since undergoing season-ending surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome last July. His most recent outing for the Nationals came June 1, 2021. Strasburg threw a bullpen session Monday, felt good afterward and decided with the team that he’s ready to join the rotation. Strasburg, 33, has pitched just 26 2⁄3 innings since signing a seven-year, $245 million contract in December 2019.

Mariners-Astros brawl: Astros pitcher

Héctor Neris was suspended four games and manager Dusty Baker was banned one game by MLB after both were ejected from a game Monday night against Seattle in which Neris plunked one hitter and nearly hit another in the head.

Neris and Baker were also fined undisclosed amounts. Astros coaches

Joe Espada, Omar López and Troy Snitker were also fined, as was Mariners manager