MILWAUKEE -- After playing three one-run games in five contests to start the season, the Brewers' bullpen was taxed going into Saturday night's 11-6 loss to the Cubs. Unfortunately for Milwaukee, starter Tommy Milone lasted only four innings, making the bullpen cover the final five, with four relievers throwing 110 pitches at Miller Park.
It led the team to option left-hander Brent Suter to Triple-A Colorado Springs, just four days after summoning him from the Minor Leagues to replace injured starter Junior Guerra on the roster. No corresponding roster move was announced, but the team will likely recall a pitcher to provide bullpen depth on Sunday for the series finale.
Reliever Jhan Marinez (0-2) replaced Milone and allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings.
"Some of our guys pitched better than their lines," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "I thought Jhanny Marinez pitched really well. He probably should have given up one hit."
Marinez ran into some tough luck, giving up a pair of infield singles to pitcher Kyle Hendricks and Albert Almora Jr., which snapped a tie and gave the Cubs the lead for good, 6-4, in the fifth inning.
"Two straight infield hits to get two runs, there's not much you can do about that," Counsell said.

Marinez was replaced by Suter, who threw 41 pitches and gave up four runs on four hits and two walks in just one inning. He was unable to get out of the eighth, forcing Counsell to use Jared Hughes and Corey Knebel to record the final five outs.
"Jared was probably the guy I most was hoping to avoid, but we had to get [Suter] out of that inning, and he did a fine job," Counsell said.