ST. LOUIS -- If you're upset that the Brewers haven't deployed left-handed relief ace Josh Hader more often in August, blame the games, manager Craig Counsell said Saturday amid a debate of his bullpen choices.
Counsell remained steadfast in his belief that it is in the team's best interest to reserve Hader for tie games or when he can protect a lead. It's a philosophy that has drawn criticism in the wake of games like Friday's 5-2 loss to the Cardinals, when Counsell sent right-hander Jordan Lyles out for a second inning after the Brewers scored twice in the top of the eighth to make it a one-run game.