Originally published June 9, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified June 9, 2008 at 2:47 PM

Mariners fire hitting coach Jeff Pentland

The Mariners fired hitting coach Jeff Pentland today, replacing him with Lee Elia, who was on the Mariners' staff as a special assistant to manager John McLaren.

By Larry Stone

Seattle Times staff reporter

The Mariners' prolonged slump took its first major victim Monday when hitting coach Jeff Pentland was fired and replaced by Lee Elia.

Pentland, 61, was in his third full season as Mariners' hitting coach. The Mariners rank 13th in the American League in batting average (.248) and slugging percentage (.377) and last in on-base percentage (.305).

"Jeff has an excellent and proven track record, and those of us who have worked with him are well aware he knows hitting," Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi said in a news release issued by the club. "Unfortunately, we have consistently, and for an extended period, underperformed at the plate and we are hopeful that a different voice might help the situation."

Elia,70, has served this season as a special assistant to manager John McLaren. He is a former major-league manager (Cubs and Phillies), and was the Mariners' hitting coach from 1993-97 under Lou Piniella.

Elia will take over his new position tonight when the Mariners open a three-game series in Toronto against the Blue Jays.

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