Reds fire Miley, promote Narron

NOTES

The last-place Cincinnati Reds fired manager Dave Miley and promoted bench coach Jerry Narron to finish the season.

At 27-43, the Reds were 18 1/2 games behind St. Louis in the N.L. Central. Cincinnati lost 6-1 at home to St. Louis on Monday night in Miley’s last game.

Pitching coach Don Gullett also was fired. Vern Ruhle, the Reds’ minor league pitching coordinator, will handle the job for the remainder of the season.

Miley became the Reds’ manager on July 28, 2003, when he replaced Bob Boone. Cincinnati was 125-164 during parts of his three seasons.

Royals recall Bayliss

The Kansas City Royals recalled right-hander Jonah Bayliss from Double-A Wichita and moved first baseman Ken Harvey to the 60-day disabled list.

Both players are former Spokane Indians – Bayliss in 2002 and Harvey in 1999.

Bayliss, 24, has no major league experience and was 1-2 with six saves for Wichita.

Harvey, an All-Star last season, was put on the 15-day DL May 19 because of recurring back problems. In 22 games this season, Harvey is hitting .222 with one home run and five RBIs.

Gagne’s season ends

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Eric Gagne will have season-ending Tommy John surgery to fix a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Gagne, the 2003 N.L. Cy Young winner who owns the major league record of 84 consecutive saves, was 1-0 with eight saves and a 2.70 ERA in 13 1/3 innings this season.

Clearing the bases

Cleveland signed switch-hitting outfielder Trevor Crowe of Portland, the No. 14 overall pick in the amateur draft. He hit .403 with nine homers and 54 RBIs in 60 games this year for the University of Arizona. … Texas released right-hander Pedro Astacio in Anaheim, Calif. He was 2-8 with a 6.04 ERA in 12 starts, losing seven of his last eight decisions.