Marlins fire Gonzalez as manager

BALTIMORE, June 23 (UPI) -- Manager Fredi Gonzalez and two coaches were fired Wednesday by the Florida Marlins.

Gonzalez, bench coach Carlos Tosca and hitting coach Jim Presley were let go by the National League team before its inter-league game Wednesday in Baltimore.

Edwin Rodriguez, manager of the franchise's Triple-A affiliate in New Orleans, was named interim manager. Brandon Hyde was named bench coach and John Mallee is interim hitting coach, the Marlins said.

"It is never easy to make a change in managers," Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said in a statement. "Fredi has been with our club for four years. We have become close, and I am extremely fond of Fredi. I, along with all our fans, am grateful for Fredi's contributions.

"At the same time, we can't let personal feelings get in the way of taking steps that we believe are necessary to improve our ball club."

Florida won 71 games in Gonzalez's first season and improved to 84 wins in 2008 and 87 in 2009. But the team is under .500 (34-36) and in fourth place in the National League East so far this season.

Rodriguez takes over the managing duties after 1 1/2 years as manager for New Orleans. He has also managed the Marlins' Single-A affiliate and their Gulf Coast League team.