Posted: November 8
Updated: Today at 10:08 PM

BOSTON (AP) — Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux has withdrawn from consideration for the manager’s job with the Boston Red Sox.

He had been scheduled for an interview Tuesday, but Boston general manager Ben Cherington announced Monday that Maddux had withdrawn. The job opened when Terry Francona left following the team’s epic collapse in September, when it went 7-20 and missed the playoffs.

Maddux pitched for nine teams, including the Red Sox, in a 15-year career that ended in 2000. He became pitching coach of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2003, then took the same job with Texas before the 2009 season.

The Red Sox already have interviewed Philadelphia bench coach Pete Mackanin and Milwaukee hitting coach Dale Sveum. They plan to interview Cleveland bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr.

Maddux, also a candidate for the Chicago Cubs managerial opening, said in a statement it was a family decision that led him to withdraw from consideration.

“My wife and two daughters are together in the same state for the first time in three years and words cannot describe my happiness,” he said. “The game of baseball has many sacrifices but being apart from family is the toughest. I feel there is too much distance between the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and Boston to see my family as much as I’d enjoy.

“Again, I thank Ben Cherington and the Boston Red Sox for the flattery, honor, and compliment of considering me for their position.”

• • •

CHICAGO — Dale Sveum felt as though he was seeing the same pitch again when he interviewed for the Chicago Cubs’ managing job.

The Milwaukee Brewers’ hitting coach says Monday the process mirrored what he went through in Boston last week, with management firing similar questions his way and putting him through a game simulation.

Whether he gets a chance to replace Mike Quade in Chicago or Terry Francona on the Red Sox bench remains to be seen.

Sveum says those are the “two most prestigious jobs in baseball, if not sports.”

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have interviewed Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin for their vacant managerial job.

Mackanin is meeting with the media at Fenway Park on Monday night.

The Red Sox are also scheduled to talk to Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum this week.

Mackanin is looking to replace Terry Francona, who parted ways with the team after its unprecedented September collapse. Mackanin also spent time in the Expos, Pirates, Reds and Yankees systems.

He was an interim manager with the Reds in 2007 and the Pirates in 2005, going 53-53 in the two temporary gigs. He is also 917-849 in 13 years as a minor league manager.

Also Monday, the Red Sox declined contract options on relievers Dan Wheeler and Scott Atchison.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jon Lester loves to face the Kansas City Royals.

Lester curbed the Royals on three hits for six-plus innings and Jason Varitek tripled for the first time in more than four years as the Boston Red Sox won 6-1 on Sunday.

“My stuff at times was good and at other times I was trying to do too much, overthrowing the ball a little bit,” Lester said.

Lester (13-7) has allowed two runs and six hits in 13 innings in his past two starts to beat Kansas City and Tampa Bay. He is 5-1 with a 1.30 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals, including a no-hitter on May 19, 2008.

Carl Crawford and Darnell McDonald hit solo home runs for the Red Sox. McDonald replaced Jacoby Ellsbury, who missed his second straight game with a contusion in his back after being hit by a pitch Friday.

The Red Sox took 3 of 4 from the Royals although other starters David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis and J.D. Drew were also out with injuries.

“It’s nice to know when those guys are out you have other guys to fill in and do a good job,” Lester said. “That’s big for us, a confidence-booster definitely. Guys that filled in those spots did a good job.”

Varitek’s two-out triple rolled to the right-center fence, allowing Jed Lowrie to score in the fifth to break a scoreless deadlock. Lowrie led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a Crawford ground out. Varitek’s triple was his first since June 24, 2007 at San Diego off Jake Peavy.

How did

it feel?

“Not so good,” said Varitek, who was icing both knees at his clubhouse stall. “I’m just spacing them out. With two outs, it didn’t look like it’s something I shouldn’t have any problem getting to (third).”

Red Sox manager Terry Francona joked “speed never takes a day off.”

“It’s not like Jacoby and Carl, trust me,” the 39-year-old Varitek said.

“It’s not often you see Tek get a triple,” Lester said.

McDonald, who had three hits, hit his fifth home run of the season in the sixth on an 0-2 pitch from Royals rookie left-hander Danny Duffy (3-7). Aaron Crow gave up a home run to Crawford, his eighth, in the seventh inning.

Ryan Lavarnway, Adrian Gonzalez and Jed Lowrie had RBIs in the eighth as the Red Sox scored three runs off Louis Coleman, one of four rookie pitchers the Royals used.

Duffy gave up two runs on five hits in six innings, while striking out three and walking two. He has lost four August starts since a July 31 victory at Cleveland.

Johnny Giavotella led off the Royals seventh with a triple and scored on Mike Moustakas’ single for the only run off Lester. He was replaced by Daniel Bard after 113 pitches with two runners on base. Bard retired the next three hitters.

“It’s nothing unexpected from him,” Lester said of Bard’s performance. “He’s done it since he’s been up here. It’s big to have a guy like that in our bullpen. That’s what he’s done all year. It makes your job a little easier as a starter, knowing you have those guys down there.”

The Royals loaded the bases on two walks and a Lowrie error in the second, but Lester retired Alcides Escobar on a comeback to end the inning.

“Jed makes that play basically 10 out of 10 times,” Lester said. “You have to pick your teammates up sometimes like they pick you up. I was able to minimize the damage.”

Lester did not allow a hit until Perez’s single with two out in the fourth.

“Jon Lester is bona fide,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s a premier lefty in this league and he showed why.”

Notes: It is questionable whether Ellsbury will return Monday when the Red Sox open a four-game series at Texas. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to get him back out there too early,” manager Terry Francona said. “He’s still pretty sore.” The Royals are off Monday before playing 17 of their next 20 games on the road. RHP Bobby Jenks, who has been on the disabled list twice this season with back tightness, is scheduled to throw 20 to 30 pitches Monday in a simulated game at the Red Sox complex in Fort Myers, Fla. … DH David Ortiz, who has missed the past seven games with bursitis in his right heel, is hitting off the tee and soft toss in the cages, but is still wearing a boot on his foot. … Red Sox LHP Erik Bedard, who starts Monday, is winless in his past eight starts against the Rangers, although he has allowed three earned runs or less in each of his previous four starts. … Royals LHP Tim Collins got the final out of the eighth on his 22nd birthday.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Lester curbed the Royals on three hits in six-plus innings and Jason Varitek tripled for the first time in more than four years as the Boston Red Sox won 6-1 on Sunday.

“My stuff at times was good and at other times I was trying to do too much, overthrowing the ball a little bit,” Lester said.

Lester (13-7) has allowed two runs and six hits in 13 innings in his past two starts to beat Kansas City and Tampa Bay. He is 5-1 with a 1.30 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals, including a no-hitter on May 19, 2008.

Carl Crawford and Darnell McDonald hit solo home runs for the Red Sox. McDonald replaced Jacoby Ellsbury, who missed his second straight game with a contusion in his back after being hit by a pitch Friday.

The Red Sox took 3 of 4 from the Royals although other starters David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis and J.D. Drew were also out with injuries.

“It’s nice to know when those guys are out you have other guys to fill in and do a good job,” Lester said. “That’s big for us, a confidence-booster definitely. Guys that filled in those spots did a good job.”

Varitek’s two-out triple rolled to the right-center fence, allowing Jed Lowrie to score in the fifth to break a scoreless deadlock. Lowrie led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a Crawford ground out. Varitek’s triple was his first since June 24, 2007 at San Diego off Jake Peavy.

How did it feel?

“Not so good,” said Varitek, who was icing both knees at his clubhouse stall. “I’m just spacing them out. With two outs, it didn’t look like it’s something I shouldn’t have any problem getting to (third).”

Red Sox manager Terry Francona joked “speed never takes a day off.”

“It’s not like Jacoby and Carl, trust me,” the 39-year-old Varitek said.

“It’s not often you see Tek get a triple,” Lester said.

McDonald, who had three hits, hit his fifth home run of the season in the sixth on an 0-2 pitch from Royals rookie left-hander Danny Duffy (3-7). Aaron Crow gave up a home run to Crawford, his eighth, in the seventh inning.

Ryan Lavarnway, Adrian Gonzalez and Jed Lowrie had RBIs in the eighth as the Red Sox scored three runs off Louis Coleman, one of four rookie pitchers the Royals used.

Duffy gave up two runs on five hits in six innings, while striking out three and walking two. He has lost four August starts since a July 31 victory at Cleveland.

Johnny Giavotella led off the Royals seventh with a triple and scored on Mike Moustakas’ single for the only run off Lester. He was replaced by Daniel Bard after 113 pitches with two runners on base. Bard retired the next three hitters.

“It’s nothing unexpected from him,” Lester said of Bard’s performance. “He’s done it since he’s been up here. It’s big to have a guy like that in our bullpen. That’s what he’s done all year. It makes your job a little easier as a starter, knowing you have those guys down there.”

The Royals loaded the bases on two walks and a Lowrie error in the second, but Lester retired Alcides Escobar on a comeback to end the inning.

“Jed makes that play basically 10 out of 10 times,” Lester said. “You have to pick your teammates up sometimes like they pick you up. I was able to minimize the damage.”

Lester did not allow a hit until Perez’s single with two out in the fourth.

“Jon Lester is bona fide,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s a premier lefty in this league and he showed why.”

Notes: It is questionable whether Ellsbury will return Monday when the Red Sox open a four-game series at Texas. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to get him back out there too early,” manager Terry Francona said. “He’s still pretty sore.” The Royals are off Monday before playing 17 of their next 20 games on the road. RHP Bobby Jenks, who has been on the disabled list twice this season with back tightness, is scheduled to throw 20 to 30 pitches Monday in a simulated game at the Red Sox complex in Fort Myers, Fla. DH David Ortiz, who has missed the past seven games with bursitis in his right heel, is hitting off the tee and soft toss in the cages, but is still wearing a boot on his foot. Red Sox LHP Erik Bedard, who starts Monday, is winless in his past eight starts against the Rangers, although he has allowed three earned runs or less in each of his previous four starts. Royals LHP Tim Collins got the final out of the eighth on his 22nd birthday.

KANSAS CITY — Danny Duffy, the Kansas City Royals’ 22-year-old rookie left-hander, would like to be where Boston Red Sox lefty Jon Lester is at some point in his career.Lester and Duffy hooked up in a pitchers’ duel for six innings Sunday. Lester limited the Royals to three hits and one run as the Red Sox won 6-1. Boston remained a half-game behind the New York Yankees in the American League East.“Jon Lester is bona fide,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s a premier lefty in this league and he showed why.”The Royals are hopeful Duffy can develop into one. Duffy held the Red Sox to two runs and five hits in six innings, leaving with the Royals trailing 2-0. Jason Varitek’s first triple since June 24, 2007, drove in the first Boston run in the fifth. Darnell McDonald homered in the sixth for the other run off Duffy, who was making his 17th big-league start.“Duffy pitched a great game,” Yost said. “He was on the attack. He was throwing strikes and getting ahead in the count. He hung a curve to Varitek for the triple, and he tried to go inside to McDonald and just got too much of the plate, but otherwise he didn’t make too many mistakes. He kept his pitch count in check. He was really very, very good.”But Lester was better.“He’s got good enough stuff to put you away and get ahead in the count, and he’s got a cutter he can use to get back in the strike zone and get back even,” said Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer, who went 0-for-3 with a walk. “He mixed it up. He threw a good game. You’ve got to tip your cap to him.”Duffy (3-8) struck out three and walked two. He is 0-4 in four August starts.“His stuff is good, but we finally broke through,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.Duffy was much sharper than his last outing, when he gave up eight runs in three-plus innings of a loss to the New York Yankees.“I think it was a step forward personally,” Duffy said. “It’s kind of hard to think about it that way when you lose, but personally, my efficiency was a lot better than it was against the Yankees.”Carl Crawford also hit a solo home run for the Red Sox.Lester (13-7) has allowed two runs and six hits in 13 innings in his past two starts to beat Kansas City and Tampa Bay. He is 5-1 with a 1.30 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals.McDonald, who had three hits, hit his fifth home run of the season in the sixth on an 0-2 pitch from Duffy. Aaron Crow gave up a home run to Crawford, his eighth, in the seventh inning.Ryan Lavarnway, Adrian Gonzalez and Jed Lowrie had RBIs in the eighth as the Red Sox scored three runs off Louis Coleman, one of four rookie pitchers the Royals used.Johnny Giavotella led off the Royals seventh with a triple and scored on Mike Moustakas’ single for the only run off Lester, who was replaced by Daniel Bard after 113 pitches with two runners on base. Bard retired the next three hitters.The Royals loaded the bases on two walks and Lowrie’s error in the second, but Lester retired Alcides Escobar on a comeback to end the inning.Lester, who no-hit the Royals on May 19, 2008, did not allow a hit until Perez’s single with two outs in the fourth.Notes: CF Jacoby Ellsbury was out of the Boston lineup for the second straight game with a contusion in his back after being hit by a pitch Friday. It is questionable whether Ellsbury will return Monday when the Red Sox open a four-game series at Texas. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to get him back out there too early,” Francona said. “He’s still pretty sore.” … The Royals are off Monday before playing 17 of their next 20 games on the road. … RHP Bobby Jenks, who has been on the disabled list twice this season with back tightness, is scheduled to throw 20 to 30 pitches Monday in a simulated game at the Red Sox complex in Fort Myers, Fla. … DH David Ortiz, who has missed the past seven games with bursitis in his right heel, is hitting off the tee and soft toss in the cages, but is still wearing a boot on his foot. … Red Sox LHP Erik Bedard, who starts Monday, is winless in his past eight starts against the Rangers, although he has allowed three earned runs or less in each of his previous four starts. … Royals LHP Tim Collins got the final out of the eighth on his 22nd birthday .

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.