Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Less than 24 hours after manager Brad
Mills was shown the door, the Astros didn't exactly play with any renewed
vigor in an 8-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the finale of a
three-game series at Minute Maid Park.
Tony DeFrancesco made his debut as Houston's interim skipper, but was welcomed
to the major leagues rudely as Ian Kennedy (11-10) fanned seven over six
innings of one-run ball. He allowed five hits and struggled with his command
at bit, walking a season-high five, but did enough to snap his personal two-
game slide.
Miguel Montero ripped a two-run single and Aaron Hill added pair of solo home
runs for the Diamondbacks, who have won four consecutive games.
Armando Galarraga (0-4) didn't make it out of the fourth inning as he allowed
five runs on six hits with a pair of walks and a strikeout in 3 2/3 frames.
Jason Castro knocked in the only run for the skidding Astros, who have lost
six of their last seven games. In addition to Mills, the club released hitting
coach Mike Barnett and first base coach Bobby Meachem.
The Sports Network