Kevin Boles steps down as PawSox manager

BOSTON – Kevin Boles stepped down Saturday after managing the Pawtucket Red Sox for five years.

"I was very surprised," Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said before his team hosted Houston Saturday at Fenway Park. "Our relationship was great, the way we worked the whole season."

Cora said he spoke to Boles on Thursday and wished him luck.

"Whatever he wants to do, he’ll accomplish," Cora said. "I told him that for being my first time doing this, he [...]

BOSTON – Kevin Boles stepped down Saturday after managing the Pawtucket Red Sox for five years.

“I was very surprised,” Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said before his team hosted Houston Saturday at Fenway Park. “Our relationship was great, the way we worked the whole season.”

Cora said he spoke to Boles on Thursday and wished him luck.

“Whatever he wants to do, he’ll accomplish,” Cora said. “I told him that for being my first time doing this, he was very helpful.”

Boles recommended that the Sox promote Brandon Phillips, who hit a game-winning home run on Wednesday in Atlanta.

Boles decided to leave on his own and was not forced out by the organization. In 2014, he managed Pawtucket, Boston’s Triple A affiliate, to the International League championship. Prior to managing Pawtucket, he spent three years managing the Portland Sea Dogs, Boston’s Double A affiliate.