The Houston Astros extended manager Phil Garner's contract through 2008 on Wednesday.
``Our goal has always been to bring a World Series championship to Houston,'' team owner Drayton McLane Jr. said. ``We have come closer to reaching that goal under Phil's tenure as manager than at any other point in the history of the franchise.''
Garner's contract was to expire after next season.
Also Wednesday, the Astros fired pitching coach Jim Hickey but retained bullpen coach Mark Bailey, hitting coach Sean Berry, bench coach Cecil Cooper, first base coach Jose Cruz and third base coach Doug Mansolino.
Hickey had been Houston's pitching coach since Garner became manager.
The Astros went 82-80 in 2006, missing the playoffs for the first time since Garner took over midway through the 2004 season. The Astros, who reached the World Series last season, went 53-69 between a 19-9 start and a 10-2 finish.
Houston had the NL's second-lowest ERA (4.08) and tied the New York Mets for the most shutouts (12). The Astros ranked second in the NL with a 3.51 ERA in 2005 and led the league with the fewest runs and walks allowed.
