Indians fire manager Manny Acta

The Indians have fired manager Manny Acta after the team collapsed from contention. ASSOCIATED PRESS Enlarge

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians have fired manager Manny Acta after the team collapsed from contention.

Acta, hired by Cleveland in 2009 after two losing seasons as Washington's manager, couldn't stop the Indians from falling to last place in the AL Central. They were within three games of first place on July 21 before losing 21 of 25 and eventually sliding all the way back to last. It certainly wasn't all Acta's fault, but there were times when the Indians seemed to be going through the motions and a lack of effort isn't a positive reflection on any manager.

Acta went 214-266 in nearly three seasons with the Indians, who are just 21-50 in the second half this season. He had one season left on his contract.

The Indians announced Acta will not return in 2013 on Thursday, an off day before opening their final homestand.

Bench coach Sandy Alomar, a former Indians player and fan favorite who could become Cleveland's next full-time manager, will replace Acta for the last six games of 2012.

The Indians said the search for a new manager will begin immediately. Acta's coaching staff will remain intact for the rest of this season.

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti thanked Acta for his service.