Joe Girardi Reacts to Being Fired From Phillies, Says He Will 'Pray That They Get Better'

Adam Hagy/Getty Joe Girardi fired by Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies parted ways with manager Joe Girardi on Friday after the team won less than half their games to start the season.

"The Phillies have relieved Joe Girardi of his duties as manager today," a statement published on the Phillies' official Twitter account confirmed.

In August 2019, the team hired Girardi — a former manager for the New York Yankees — to improve their recent history of losing records. But as of Friday afternoon, the franchise held a 22-29 record and is 12 games behind the New York Mets for first place in the NL East.

Shortly after his dismissal, 57-year-old Girardi reacted to the news during a Sirius XM's MLB Network Radio segment.

"I think there's a number of reasons we didn't win," he explained. "I think we gave too many extra outs that probably cost us four or five games."

Girardi also pointed to bullpen struggles and slow offensive starts for the Phillies' losing record.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"I think you can overcome sometimes one thing, maybe even two, but sometimes when it's more than that I think it's somewhat difficult," he said during the segment. "I can look back on this last week when we were 3-7 and I think realistically we probably should have been 7-3. Well, that's going to fall on me because we weren't."

RELATED: Pitcher Roy Halladay, Who Died in 2017 Plane Crash, to Have Jersey Retired by Phillies

Girardi said he still hopes his former team will turn their season around and compete in the MLB postseason despite his firing.

"I just pray that they get better and they get to the playoffs," he told MLB Network Radio.

Phillies bench coach Rob Thomson will act as interim manager for the remainder of the season, the team announced in a statement. Quality assurance coach Mike Calitri will be promoted to the team's major league staff.

RELATED VIDEO: Grandmother Surprised with World Series Tickets

"It has been a frustrating season for us up until this point, as we feel that our club has not played up to its capabilities," the club's President of Baseball Operations David Dombrowski said.

Dombrowski said he believed a "new voice in the clubhouse" would give the team their "best chance to turn things around" as they continue the 2022 season.

"I believe we have a talented group that can get us back on track," he continued, "and I am confident that Rob, with his experience and familiarity with our club, is the right man to lead us going forward."