HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Pitching coach Vern Ruhle and hitting coach Tom McCraw today took the fall for the disaster that has become the Houston Astros' 2000 season.

Ruhle and McCraw have both been relieved of their duties and will be replaced by Burt Hooton and Harry Spilman, respectively.

The Astros (26-45), the three-time defending National League Central Division champions, currently hold the worst record in baseball.

Hooton joins Houston after serving in the same capacity for the Double-A Round Rock Express, which is owned by former Astros pitcher and Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. Hooton played 15 seasons in the major leagues with Los Angeles, Texas and the Chicago Cubs.

Spilman has been the Astros' minor league field coordinator for the past 2 1/2 years. He served on Houston's coaching staff last season while McCraw was away from the team due to medical reasons.

Spilman had an 11-year major league career, including two stints with the Astros (1981-85, 88-89).