MILWAUKEE — For much of the season, the Pirates’ biggest challenge has been their bullpen.
They had relatively natural choices for the high-leverage innings — Michael Feliz in the seventh, George Kontos in the set-up role and Felipe Vazquez in the closer’s role — while the sixth inning had presented issues, a combination of needing length from starters and not quite finding the right pitcher for that role.
Then again, not every game calls for those natural roles. After a five-inning effort from starter Jameson Taillon, the Pirates dipped into their bullpen early again. Edgar Santana pitched a clean sixth, but Kyle Crick had an uncharacteristic seventh, and Kontos, appearing for the third time in three games, also gave up a pair of runs.