D-Backs notebook: Qualls replaces Lyon as closer

After another shaky outing on Friday night, Brandon Lyon is no longer the closer for the Diamondbacks, replaced by Chad Qualls.

The low-key Lyon, who had a 2.43 ERA and 19 saves at the All-Star break, was roughed up for four hits and two runs in the ninth inning against the Reds before Qualls entered to preserve a 3-2 win.

Since the All-Star break, Lyon is 0-2 with a 11.57 ERA in 16 1/3 innings. The opposition is hitting .487 against him in that time span.

Qualls, meanwhile, hasn't been scored on in eight straight appearances and has a 3.11 ERA this year.

Manager Bob Melvin said the decision was a tough one because of Lyon's popularity in the clubhouse.

"Brandon is a star down in that bullpen," Melvin said. "He's a leader down there. He's about as accountable of a guy as I've ever had in a bullpen. He totally understood when I talked to him (Saturday) and all he wants to do is help this team win. In that respect, he took it like a pro."

Qualls has limited experience closing, doing it some last year when Houston's regular closer, Brad Lidge, struggled.

He was a starter in the minor leagues and has been used almost exclusively as a set-up guy in the majors. Qualls has nine career saves, three this season.

"I don't necessarily want to receive the closer's role in this circumstance," Qualls said. "I'd rather have it in spring training, but (Melvin) basically just told me we're going to just switch roles ... I'm glad I got the opportunity. I feel I've earned it. I just wish the circumstances were a little different."

Qualls had a 1.98 ERA in August and has not given up a run in six innings in September. He's been scored on once in his last 18 appearances.

FINDING A GROOVE

Melvin sees a different player when Jeff Salazar comes to the plate these days. After success as a reserve outfielder for Arizona last season, Salazar had trouble getting on track earlier this year, hitting just .202 before a midseason demotion to Triple-A Tucson in June.

After going hitless in his first two at-bats after getting recalled on Aug. 10, Salazar has gone 6-for-13, raising his batting average 30 percentage points to .224.

"A lot of times if you can get yourself off to a good start when you get back pinch-hitting wise, the confidence will just stay there from at-bat to at-bat," Melvin said. "You can just see when he's up there to pinch-hit now he's just got a different demeanor to him."

JINXED?

Although not the most fleet of foot, Mark Reynolds is second on the team with 11 stolen bases and showed off his good judgment by stretching a single into a double in Friday's fifth inning.

His heady base running led Melvin to label Reynolds "as good a base runner all the way around as we've had this year " before Saturday's game.

But then, in the game's fourth inning, Reynolds was thrown out at second trying to advance on a pitch that bounced a couple of feet away from Reds catcher Ryan Hanigan.

Reynolds has only been thrown out once attempting to steal this season.

SHORT HOP

First baseman Conor Jackson had a cortisone shot on his sore rotator cuff Friday and missed his second straight game Saturday. Melvin hopes to get Jackson back on Monday against the Giants.