HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros fired manager Bo Porter on Monday, saying the dismissal had less to do with the teams 59-79 record than the need for "new direction" and a "united message throughout the entire organization." Porter was in his second season with the Astros and was succeeded by interim manager Tom Lawless, who worked in Houstons minor league system. Lawless first game in charge is Tuesday night at home against the first-place Los Angeles Angels. Bench coach Dave Trembley also was let go. Porter joined the Astros after working as a third-base coach for the Washington Nationals. The Astros went a franchise-worst 51-111 in his first season for their third straight 100-loss season. General manager Jeff Luhnow said the decision was not based on "our current level of competitiveness." The Astros entered Monday in fourth place in the AL West with the second-worst record in the league. "I recognize that our win-loss record is largely a product of an organizational strategy for which I am responsible," Luhnow said in a statement. "Rather, I made this decision because I believe we need a new direction in our clubhouse." Luhnow refused repeatedly to get into more detail about why Porter was let go as he fielded questions for almost 25 minutes on Monday afternoon. He did say that he had been mulling the move for a few weeks and that he made the final decision on Sunday. "Once you make a decision it is in everyones best interest to move it along," he said. "Its easier to wait until the end of the season in some respects, but its not fair to Bo and its not fair to us." Owner Jim Crane said the firing was "not an easy decision to make." It comes following recent reports citing sources who said Luhnow and Porter were not getting along. Luhnow wouldnt address those rumours other than to say that there were "numerous inaccuracies" in the reports. Porter issued a statement Monday afternoon. "During my time in Houston I dedicated myself to do everything I could to help this organization win, in the short-term and for the long-term," he said in the statement. "I am proud of what we were able to accomplish in Houston with an organization in transition. Im gratified we were able to bring some excitement to this city as a result of our improvement from 2013 to 2014." Starting pitcher Scott Feldman lamented Porters firing and noted the care and concern he showed when Feldmans father died earlier this season. He said he spoke to Porter on Monday and thanked him for the way he treated him throughout the season and particularly in that difficult time. "I hope he realizes that he was doing as well as he could given the circumstances," Feldman said. "Its tough to see, but Bos a strong guy and Im sure hell be back on his feet and back in the game whenever he wants to be." Whoever is hired as full-time manager will be the teams fourth since 2007, not including those who held the job on an interim basis. Luhnow said they hope to hire someone quickly. "What we will seek going forward is a consistent and united message throughout the entire organization," Luhnow said. "It is essential that as an organization we create an atmosphere at the major league level where our young players can come up and continue to develop and succeed. "Ultimately, I am responsible for creating that culture, and I will do everything in my power to do so -- even when it means making difficult moves like the one we made today." Porter was the first managerial hiring in Luhnows tenure, and he was unhappy it didnt work out. "It is a disappointment in that any time you bring in a new leader of any department ... you hope that the individual is going to be there for the long haul," he said. "In no way did we intend to hire someone for a short-term (transitional) period. As we look forward to the next hire, were looking for someone for the long haul." He said many people will help in the hunt for a new manager and noted that Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, who re-joined the team in February as a special assistant following a stint with the Rangers, will be among them. The firing is the latest development in months of trouble surrounding the Astros that includes being the victim of hackers who accessed teams servers and published months of internal trade talks on the Internet, and failing to reach a deal with No. 1 overall draft pick Brady Aiken. "Its been a challenging summer for me personally and for us as the Astros organization," Luhnow said. "A lot of things happened not the way we scripted them to happen and weve had to react. Thats part of the job." Lawless was the interim manager at Triple-A Oklahoma City this season when manager Tony DeFrancesco was on medical leave. 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That beat the mark of 3,047 set only one week earlier by Westerns Will Finch, a Hec Crighton finalist. BEIJING -- American Jessica Korda and South Koreas Na Yeon Choi shot 9-under 64 on Thursday to share the lead after the first round of the inaugural Reignwood LPGA Classic in Beijing, four strokes ahead of the rest of the field. Choi birdied her last four holes, while Korda matched her career-best round. Neither made a bogey. "Im kind of going after it," said Korda, who like Choi is looking for her first win of the season. "It seems to be a really good golf course. It suits my eye. Im excited for what the next three days bring." Third-ranked Stacy Lewis of the United States (68) was in a tie for third place with South Koreans Hee Young Park and Hee Kyung Seo. Top-ranked Inbee Park of South Korea was one of eight players another stroke back. She bogeyed two of her first four holes before recovering with six birdies. With a fast staart, Korda was alone in the lead before Chois late charge in the last group of the day.dddddddddddd "I feel I had a perfect game out there, especially those last four holes," Choi said. "I didnt expect to have four birdies on the finish." Choi rose as high as second in the rankings this season before falling back to sixth. She credited her improved play in part to the return of caddy Paul Fusco after a short break. "Especially the last few months my putting didnt work very well," Choi said. "But today every time I went to putt, he would say, Good aim, or gave me a lot of trust or confidence. I think thats why my putting was working really well today." The event is the first LPGA tournament in China. The countrys only major winner, Shanshan Feng, shot a 70, one stroke behind compatriot Liying Ye. ' ' '