Big changes come in Nats’ loss

PHILADELPHIA — Before Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia Phillies had ended on Sunday, the Washington Nationals announced a major overhaul of manager Manny Acta’s coaching staff.

The team will not renew the contracts of hitting coach Lenny Harris, first base coach Jerry Morales, third-base coach Tim Tolman, bench coach Pat Corrales, bullpen coach Rick Aponte or strength and conditioning coordinator Kazuhiko Tomooka.

“I appreciate the hard work the coaches gave us the last couple of years,” General manager Jim Bowden said. “We just felt at this time that a change was necessary.”

The team retained only pitching coach Randy St. Claire. St. Claire, named the Montreal Expos’ pitching coach in 2003, is the longest-tenured member of the staff.

Bowden said it’s possible some of the coaches could remain with the organization in another capacity, but those decisions won’t be made until next week at the earliest.

Both teams rested their regulars in the game, and Lou Marson and Matt Stairs hit back-to-back homers for Philadelphia in an 8-3 win.

The Nationals (59-102) finished with the worst record in the major leagues, while the Phillies won their second consecutive National League East championship. Game 1 in their division series is in Philadelphia on Wednesday.