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HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros promoted third base coach Ed Romero to bench coach after Jackie Moore was hired by the Texas Rangers.

The Astros then hired Dave Clark, the manager of their Triple-A affiliate in Round Rock, to replace Romero. Houston also announced Wednesday that it has retained hitting coach Sean Berry, pitching coach Dewey Robinson, first base coach Jose Cruz and bullpen coach Mark Bailey.

The staff will work under manager Cecil Cooper, who guided the Astros to an 86-75 record last season. Clark managed Round Rock last year after three years managing the team's Double-A affiliate in Corpus Christi.

"We feel that Ed Romero gives us a solid right-hand man in the dugout because of his experience and his relationship with Coop, and Dave Clark has earned the opportunity to be on our major league staff based on his efforts in our system during the last four seasons," Astros general manager Ed Wade said.

Berry has been the Astros' hitting coach since July 2006. Robinson was promoted to pitching coach before last season, his 12th with the organization. Bailey will enter his eighth season as the club's bullpen coach.

Cruz will return for his 13th season as the club's first base coach and 26th overall season within the organization. Cruz played for the Astros from 1975-87 and had his No. 25 retired on Oct. 3, 1992.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press