Qualls (back) pitched a scoreless ninth inning in a non-save situation Friday. Qualls was unavailable for the final two games of the Yankees series due to back discomfort, but he got back on the hill Friday and retired the side on 14 pitches. After struggling in July (7.71 ERA), Qualls has now given up just one earned run in seven August appearances, thus further cementing himself into the closer role for Houston.