Chad Qualls Blows Another One For The Arizona Diamondbacks

Another game, another disastrous appearance by Arizona Diamondbacks’ closer Chad Qualls. Qualls blew his third save in nine chances last night as the Diamondbacks fell 6-5 to the Atlanta Braves.

Qualls blew another save last night

Qualls entered last night’s game in the ninth with a 5-4 lead and then promptly gave up a single to the legendary Eric Hinkse and then Omar Infante bunted for a single. After a Nate McLouth bunt and an intentional walk to former New York Yankee great Melky Cabrera, Martin Prado delivered a two-run single to give the Braves the lead.

The loss dropped the Diamondbacks to 14-22.

The Diamondbacks’ bullpen is by far and away the worst in baseball. As a group, they are sporting a 7.49 ERA, which is almost two runs worse than the next worst team (Milwaukee Brewers).

Here is the problem facing the Diamondbacks. Unless they make a trade — which is highly unlikely — they are stuck with Qualls as the closer.

There is no setup guy the Diamondbacks can put in as closer and right now (Aaron Heilman is not closer material) they don’t have any prospects in the minor leagues ready to step in. 29-year-old TJ Beam is closing in Triple-A, but sports a 7.27 ERA and has a 1.73 WHIP.

27-year-old Abe Woody is closing out games in Double-A, but has not been sharp either. He has a 3.86 ERA, but has a 1.79 WHIP and has walked six in 14 innings. Perhaps 25-year-old Bryan Henry, who has a 2.25 ERA and has struck out 15 in 16.1 IP at Double-A could get promoted, but I am not sure he is ready yet.

The Diamondbacks are just going to have to hope that Qualls and the rest of their bullpen figure it out because it appears that no hope is on the way.

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