Los Angeles Angels fire manager Joe Maddon after 12 straight losses

June 7 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday fired manager Joe Maddon amid the club's 12-game losing streak.

The team said in a statement that Phil Nevin has been promoted to interim manager.

The Angels were 10 games above .500 two weeks ago, but the team has since dropped to 27-29. Los Angeles' 12-game skid is tied for the worst in franchise history for a single season, leaving the club in danger of missing the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year.

On Monday night, the Angels were shut out 1-0 by the Boston Red Sox, putting them 8 1/2 games behind the Houston Astros for first place in the American League West.

Maddon told The Athletic that he was surprised by first-time general manager Perry Minasian's decision to fire him.

"You always rely on people in charge to read the tea leaves properly. This time, they did not," Maddon said. "You didn't even have to ask me. You can ask any of the players or coaches. They're the ones who really know.

"Perry was in a tough spot. I understand that. Let me just put it that way. I would really rely on the sentiments of the coaches and the players."

Maddon, a three-time Manager of the Year, was in his third season with the Angels after being hired in October 2019. He previously served as Mike Scioscia's bench coach on the Angels team that won the 2002 World Series.

The 68-year-old Maddon later managed the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chicago Cubs, who captured their first World Series championship in more than 100 years under Maddon's guidance in 2016.