The Pirates have fired pitching coach Joe Kerrigan and bench coach Gary Varsho. The firings come as Pittsburgh closes in on a record-extending 18th consecutive losing season. "There were some issues I've been working through for some time now that could not be resolved in a way that would be for the betterment of this team and this organization," manager John Russell said. "I lost two friends today; that's tough to deal with. But my main focus -- and what will always be my main focus -- is this team and this organization."