The Sioux Falls Canaries announced on Tuesday that they have relieved manager Chris Paterson of his duties, effective immediately.

Former Canaries infielder Shelby Ford has been named interim manager for the remainder of the season.

Paterson was in his second season as field manager with the Canaries, posting a record of 56-98. After starting the season 5-0, the Canaries have lost nine straight games entering this evening’s home game and are 17-38 overall on the season.

Ford spend part of the 2014 and 2015 season with the Birds, hitting .333 in 32 games. He was selected in the 3rd round (80th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates and spent six seasons in the Pirates farm system, logging 94 games with Triple-A Indianapolis before joining the independent ranks in 2012. In 2013, he hit .315 with 34 RBI and 14 extra-base hits in 37 games with the Fort Worth Cats of the Independent United League.