AROUND THE HORN
Padres: The slumping Padres fired pitching coach Larry Rothschild on Monday as the franchise tries to stop its freefall in the National League playoff race. The 67-year-old Rothschild has been with the Padres for the last two seasons. The Padres have lost nine of their last 11 games and have fallen to third place in the NL West, 13 games behind the first-place Giants. The Padres fell one game behind the Reds for the second and final NL Wild Card after losing Sunday. Padres manager Jayce Tingler said he’s discussed the struggles of the pitching staff — particularly the starting rotation — for a few weeks with general manager A.J. Preller and other front office staff. But Tingler was adamant that the move to fire Rothschild was “100%” his decision. Ben Fritz — the team’s bullpen coach — will be the interim pitching coach for the rest of the season. After a good start to the season, the Padres’ pitching staff has regressed, especially in recent weeks. The group has a 4.82 ERA in August. Three of the Padres’ main starting pitchers — Yu Darvish, Chris Paddack and Dinelson Lamet — are currently on the injured list. So is Drew Pomeranz, one of the team’s top relievers. Tingler praised Rothschild, saying he was the right hire for a young pitching staff in 2020. Rothschild has had a long career as a pitching coach with teams like the Cubs and Yankees. He was also the manager of the Rays from 1998 to 2001. The Padres start a three-game home series against the Dodgers on Tuesday.
Yankees: Reliever Zack Britton sustained another injury setback, going on the 10-day IL with a strained left elbow. Yankees manager
Aaron Boone said the team will evaluate Britton’s condition over the next few days to determine the best course of action. Britton had some pain in his elbow before a rained-out game Sunday against the Twins. He underwent an MRI that showed “a small strain,” Boone said. The injury was just the latest in a string of ailments that have plagued Britton this season. He didn’t make his season debut until June 12 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone chip in his left elbow. Then he spent more time on the IL with a hamstring strain. Britton, 33, had eight saves and a 1.89 ERA during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. But he has struggled this season, going 0-1 with a 5.89 ERA and just one save in 22 appearances while falling out of favor for late-inning situations. Britton is making $13 million this season and the Yankees already picked up his $14 million option for 2022.
Red Sox: Travis Shaw hit a game-ending grand slam in the 11th, and the Red Sox beat the visiting Rangers 8-4. Shaw, who entered as a defensive replacement in the eighth, drove a 3-2 pitch off Dennis Santana (2-3) over the Red Sox’s bullpen. He flipped his bat and looked at the dugout before rounding the bases and getting mobbed at the plate. It was Shaw’s first hit since he was claimed off waivers from the Brewers on Aug. 15. Alex Verdugo and Hunter Renfroe also homered for the Red Sox in the makeup of Sunday’s scheduled game, which was postponed due to Hurricane Henri. Garrett Whitlock (5-2) worked 2 ⅔ innings for the victory. The Rangers have the majors’ fewest wins since the All-Star break at 8-26.