The rat is gone. The Houston Astros, in the middle of a pennant race (or at least a comeback attempt), are making a significant coaching change. The AP reports:

The Houston Astros shook up their slumping offense Wednesday night by firing hitting coach Gary Gaetti.
. . . .
The Astros promoted minor league hitting coordinator Sean Berry to replace Gaetti. Purpura said Berry would be the hitting coach for the rest of this season, then be evaluated at the end.

Will the Cubs make a similar move, firing Gene Clines in favor of Iowa hitting coach Von Joshua?

The Astros also traded for the Rays' Aubrey Huff to bolster their lineup. Interestingly, as Astros Asylum notes, Huff is likely to take playing time away from Morgan Ensberg. Ensberg, despite a low batting average, has an 890 OPS and a .168 MLVr this year. Huff has an 809 OPS and a .068 MLVr. Go figure. A bad June and just 2 homers in June and July out of Ensberg appears to be coloring the Astros' perception.