KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — They Royals shook up their coaching staff Thursday in an attempt to jumpstart their failing offense, appointing Dale Sveum (swaym) as the hitting coach and making Mike Jirschele their third base coach.

Pedro Grifol, who took over as hitting coach last season, will now instruct catchers.

The moves were announced after the Royals finished off a disastrous homestand that included a sweep at the hands of Houston, and before they opened a four-game series in Toronto.

The Royals began the day last in the majors by a wide margin with 21 homers, and in the bottom third of the league in runs, on-base percentage and several other statistical categories.