Give Job to Leyland, Boles Tells Marlins

John Boles, manager of the Florida Marlins, said Jim Leyland should get his job.

“I hope we do everything we can to get [him],” Boles said. “He is the best man for the job.”

Leyland, also expected to be wooed by the Angels, said Tuesday that he will leave the Pittsburgh Pirates after this season.

Boles, who replaced Rene Lachemann at the All-Star break, has long had a reputation of putting the organization’s interests ahead of his own. If the Marlins hire Leyland, Boles would return to his former job as vice president of player development.

Meanwhile, Leyland said that he won’t put any pressure on General Manager Cam Bonifay by recommending a successor.

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A change by the official scorer added one hit to Roger Clemens’ total allowed in Wednesday’s gem in which he matched his major-league record by striking out 20 Detroit Tigers in nine innings.

In the eighth inning, Boston first baseman Mo Vaughn was originally given an error by scorer Richard L. Shook on a grounder by Melvin Nieves. After watching tape replays and thinking about the play overnight, Shook changed the call before Thursday afternoon’s game, crediting Nieves with a single.

That left Clemens (10-12) with a five-hitter, 20 strikeouts and no walks.

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Management negotiator Randy Levine and union head Donald Fehr met briefly, but bargaining remained on hold while both wait for acting Commissioner Bud Selig to decide the owners’ position on ratifying the labor deal. The union says a deal must be completed next week in order to get it ratified before the start of the off-season.