Bullpen falters in game two loss to Brewers

Taillon (5 IP, 1 ER) and Marte (1/3, 1HR, 3RBI’s) both turned in strong performances, but the bullpen couldn’t get the job done when it counted, resulting in a 5-3 loss to Milwaukee on Cinco de Mayo.

The Brewers opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th inning when Hernan Perez doubled in Travis Shaw with one out.

The Pirates answered in the 6th inning on a Starling Marte sacrifice fly to center, bringing home Adam Frazier.

With Kyle Crick in for relief, Milwaukee struck again in the bottom of the 7th on a Christian Yelich two out RBI single to center. This was after Crick had gifted the Brewers two base runners via base on balls. Crick’s command issues continued later in the inning when a passed ball allowed Cain to score, extending Milwaukee’s lead to 3-1.

After giving his teammates the option of remaining in the dugout, Josh Hader took the mound in the 8th and promptly struck out S Rod with minimal effort. In a display of resilience, the Bucs answered again when Polanco worked a walk, setting the table for Marte’s game tying home run to right. Hader settled down and struck out Bell and Dickerson to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 8th, Kontos came in for relief for the third day in a row. Kontos got two quick outs after allowing a leadoff double to Santana. Sogard worked a walk and Braun followed it up with a bases clearing double to left-center, putting the Brewers up 5-3.

Hader earned himself and the Brewers the win after retiring the side in order in the top of the 9th.

Bucs will send Chad Kuhl to the mound tomorrow at 2:10PM EDT as they look to take the rubber game.