Nationals fire Manager Manny Acta

WASHINGTON, July 13 (UPI) -- The Washington Nationals, who entered baseball's All-Star break with the worst record in the major leagues, Monday fired Manager Manny Acta.

Acta was in his third season as the Washington manager. He amassed a 158-252 record. A loss Sunday in Houston dropped the Nationals to 26-61 this year, which would project to a 48-114 record over a full season

The loss total would be the highest since the Detroit Tigers lost 119 games in 2003. The record for losses in a season is 120 by the 1962 New York Mets.

Nationals Assistant General Manager Mike Rizzo said at a news conference bench coach Jim Riggleman will fill in on an interim basis. Riggleman previously managed the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners, fashioning a 486–598 overall record. Coincidentally, he was named interim manager at Seattle last season when the Mariners fired John McLaren in mid-June.

Acta was the second Washington manager since the team moved from Montreal. Frank. Robinson was 152-172 in two seasons leading the Nationals.

Washington is the third team this season to changes managers. The Colorado Rockies fired Clint Hurdle and the Arizona Diamondbacks replaced Bob Melvin.