ARLINGTON, Texas -- The struggling Texas Rangers dismissed pitching coach Oscar Acosta Thursday night and named bullpen coach Jamie Quirk as acting pitching coach.

Manager Jerry Narron cited "differences in philosophy and problems in communication that I believe are detrimental to what we are trying to accomplish with the Texas Rangers.''

Acosta, hired as the pitching coach on Nov. 19, was told of the decision when the team reached Pittsburgh on Thursday night. The Rangers beat the Chicago Cubs 7-4 earlier in the day.

"I feel that in order for us to move ahead in a positive manner, it is necessary to make a change at this time,'' Narron said.

The Rangers said Acosta's replacement is expected to come from within the organization.

Acosta, 45, had been pitching coach for the Chicago Cubs the past two seasons.