Firing of Charlie Manuel is emotional for Phillies

With Charlie Manuel seated to his left, Philadelphia General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. broke down in tears after announcing he fired his manager and replaced him with former Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg before the Phillies’ game against the Dodgers on Friday.

“You people may not know the relationship I’ve had with Charlie. He’s a special person. This is difficult for me. I hope he stays in our organization,” Amaro said.

Manuel, 69, was in the final year of his contract.

“I never quit nothing and I didn’t resign,” Manuel said.

Etc.

Kansas City starter Danny Duffy took a no-hit bid into the sixth inning as he outdueled Justin Verlander in a 2-1 victory over Detroit Tigers in the first game of the Royals’ doubleheader sweep.

::

Members of Alex Rodriguez’s inner circle obtained and leaked documents that implicated Ryan Braun and other players in using performance-enhancing drugs, “60 Minutes” reported. Citing unidentified sources, the CBS news show said the leak occurred in February, days after the Miami New Times published documents implicating the Yankees star in the Biogenesis investigation. Rodriguez’s lawyer, David Cornwell, denied the allegations to”60 Minutes.”

In the Miami New Times documents, the names of Braun and one of Rodriguez’s teammates, catcher Francisco Cervelli, are reportedly redacted. “I spoke to Cervelli this morning. He understands,” Rodriguez said in the visitor’s dugout Friday at Fenway Park. “We had that conversation. He understands completely that it’s not true.”

::

Texas Rangers right-hander Alexi Ogando will probably miss his next start because of inflammation around a nerve in his right shoulder.

::

The Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to terms with right-hander Kyle Farnsworth on a minor league deal Friday and assigned him to triple-A Indianapolis. . . . The Atlanta Braves announced second baseman Tyler Pastornicky will have season-ending surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. . . . Oakland Athletics catcher John Jaso is likely to be sidelined at least another three weeks and perhaps for the remainder of the season as he recovers from a lingering concussion. . . . Baltimore Orioles pitching coach Rick Adair has taken a leave of absence for personal reasons, with no timetable for his return.