Workload catching up to Pirates relievers in early part of season

Clint Hurdle got his closer back Thursday, but he didn’t expect setup man Keone Kela to pitch Thursday night when the Pittsburgh Pirates opened a four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds.

Felipe Vazquez and Kela are considered the top pitchers in a bullpen that hasn’t found its rhythm in the opening week of the major-league season. Vazquez was charged with an unearned run Monday in the home opener which led to an extra-inning loss. Kela couldn’t protect a 3-1 lead Wednesday when the Pirates lost again in extra innings.

Through four games, the bullpen had a 5.79 ERA.

Vazquez threw 25 pitches Sunday and 31 pitches in the home opener, which made him unavailable Wednesday except for a “high-leverage save” situation, Hurdle said.

“That’s just a lot,” Hurdle said. “That’s a lot early.”

Once the game against the Cardinals headed into extra innings, that eliminated any save opportunity.

“It was off the table,” Hurdle said.

The Pirates were 69-3 last season when leading after seven innings. This year, they are 1-2.

“You don’t ever want to lose games you’ve got a lead in – and you do,” Hurdle said. “So, again, I go back for what works best for a team … it still comes down to community. We’ve all got roles and responsibilities to follow. We had leads. We didn’t hold the leads off the mound, however, there were other opportunities to do some things with the glove in some games and the bat in both games to add on runs.”