http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2011-07-03/rick-knapp-detroit-tigers-pitching-coach-fired It seems that allowing 15 runs to one of baseball’s worst offenses was the final blow for Detroit Tigers pitching coach Rick Knapp. The Tigers fired Knapp after Sunday’s game, a day after Detroit's hurlers surrendered 15 runs to the San Francisco Giants. Ricj Knapp was hired by the Tigers before the 2009 season. (AP Photo) The Tigers won the series finale against the Giants to avoid a sweep, but the staff allowed 19 runs in the first two games, including San Francisco’s biggest output of the season Saturday. In the series before that, Detroit allowed 32 runs in three games against the New York Mets. Entering Sunday, the Tigers were entrenched as one of the American League’s worst pitching staffs and rotations. As a whole, the pitchers combined for a 4.41 ERA and .261 opponents’ average, each ranking in the league’s bottom four. The starters, despite having one of baseball’s best aces in Justin Verlander, posted a 4.17 ERA and .260 opponents’ average. The Tigers also had Max Scherzer, a promising righthander acquired in the big trade that sent Curtis Granderson to the Yankees and Ian Kennedy to the Diamondbacks, regress after a strong start. He was 6-0 with a 2.81 ERA through his first nine starts, but 3-3 with a 7.63 ERA in his last nine starts. "I talked to him after the game," Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski told the Grand Rapids Press. "We're very thankful for what Rick has done for the organization. We just have not pitched as well as we're capable of. I'm not putting it all on him, but I just feel we can be better. "It's just something we felt needed to be done." Bullpen coach Jeff Jones will replace Knapp, who took over as pitching coach in 2008. The 49-year-old Knapp was hired by the Tigers before the 2009 season after spending several years in the Twins minor league system. Jones, 54, is a former major league pitcher who has served as bullpen coach under several Tigers managers.
They had to do something, when your team has been blown out 3 times in a week, and your staff has allowed over 13 runs three times, and given up 3 Grand Slams it was time for a change!
