Chad Qualls designated for assignment

Phillies fans around the Delaware Valley can rejoice. Todd Zolecki has the tweet of the day…

Qualls designated for assignment.

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) June 28, 2012

Chad Qualls was not the lone reason the Phillies lost last night to the Pirates, but his woeful outing in the eighth inning killed any momentum that seemed to be building late in the game. Qualls allowed three runs in the eighth inning to allow the Pittsburgh Pirates to extend their 8-7 lead to 11-7. As he is designated Qualls holds a 4.60 ERA with a 1.53 WHIP. In 31.1 innings pitched Qualls allowed seven home runs and 16 earned runs and walked nine. For a guy brought in to be the eighth inning set-up man for Jonathan Papelbon, those just are not good numbers.

Joe Savery was also sent back to triple A Lehigh Valley after struggling with the Phillies this season.

In his place will step lefty Jeremy Horst. Horst appeared in 12 games for the Cincinnati reds last season, allowing five earned runs on 15.1 innings with six walks and nine strikeouts. This season with the IronPigs Horst has put together a 2-1 record with a 2.11 ERA and 1.59 WHIP and converted two of four save opportunities.

The Phillies also purchased the contract of Brian Sanches. Sanches appeared in three games this season for the Phillies, accumulating a high 11.25 ERA quickly in four innings of work. Sanches was hit hard by the Atlanta Braves (2.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R), Washington Nationals (1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R) and New York Mets (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R). 

Earlier today I vented about how the Phillies are trying to get by with a minor league bullpen. To be fair, it is not entirely their fault, and Qualls was not adding any veteran leadership. Maybe this will ultimately be more of the same, but something had to change. Whether or not this turns the direction of the bullpen around will be learned soon.

If nothing else, today gives the Phillies a fresh arm after a rough day on Wednesday.

Follow Macho Row on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.