The Los Angeles Dodgers fired hitting coach Jack Clark in an effort to get more out of their ineffective offense.
Clark was fired late Sunday after the Dodgers returned home from a 2-7 trip, dropping them 13 1/2 games behind first-place San Francisco in the NL West and 6 1/2 games back of Philadelphia in the wild-card race.
George Hendrick replaces Clark on an interim basis. Hendrick began work in the Dodgers’ organization in February and was the hitting coach for Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League. He also was the hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1995-96 and the Anaheim Angels in 1998-99.
The Dodgers, who were idle Monday, are last in the National League in batting average (.239), on-base percentage (.297) hits (888), walks (260) and home runs (74).
Clark, 47, was hired as the Dodgers’ hitting coach in November 2000. He broke eight ribs and had cuts to his head when his motorcycle was clipped by a car the day before the season opener. He missed most of the first two months of the season.
Aurilia has appendectomy
Giants shortstop Rich Aurilia will be out for at least three weeks after undergoing an emergency appendectomy on Monday.
Aurilia, hitting .269 with nine homers and 42 RBIs, began feeling discomfort on San Francisco’s charter flight back from a six-game trip on Sunday. Team physician Laurence Yee removed Aurilia’s appendix at a local hospital.
Neifi Perez could get playing time in Aurilia’s place.
Surgery for Griffey, Dempster
Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. (shoulder) and pitcher Ryan Dempster (elbow) underwent surgery. Also Monday, Reds pitcher Jimmy Haynes (bulging disc) went back on the disabled list.
