The Milwaukee Brewers have yet to break their slump after suffering their sixth straight loss by falling to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night. It was a game that featured a recurring theme, and that involves the struggles of closer Trevor Megill.

Megill entered the game to replace Abner Uribe in the top of the ninth inning as Milwaukee was protecting a one-run lead, and it did not take long for things to go south.

Megill allowed three hits, three earned runs, and a walk, leading to the assessment of a blown save. It was a performance that led to boos by the Milwaukee faithful. After the game, manager Pat Murphy ran to his defense.

“Again, Megill's average velocity as of today was the same as it was last year at this time,” Murphy said. “Is he throwing the ball well? No. Is he giving up hard contact? Yes. Do they swing at it like they know what's coming? Yes. But did the guy save 30 games for us last year? I think he did, right? 

“So my heart goes out to him right now and bleeds for him,” Murphy added “Cause he's feeling it, and yeah, hasn't been very good.”

Murphy also took exception to the fans booing Megill.

“But the fans booing him after he saved 30 games for this team,” Murphy said. “A kid that's been through all that he's been through, and what he did the year before for us to help us win the division. And then what he did last year, and then came out with an arm injury and still pitched, and pitched one of the biggest innings of the Game Five. 

“And for them to be booing him up there, that's just not our best fans, that's for sure, and we have the great fans,” Murphy added.

“But let's remind them of that," he said. "Are they okay to be disappointed? But sometimes young men go through tough stuff. I was disappointed that those people wouldn't support him when he's going through that stuff.”

Through six games, Megill is 0-2 with a 14.40 ERA and a 2.40 WHIP. Through five innings of work, he has allowed eight hits, eight earned runs and four walks while striking out five batters.

“Does he probably care? No, is it expected? That's fine, but let's not be, these aren't machines out there, these are people,” Murphy said. “And I thought that was in poor taste, but I've done things in poor taste, too. So I'll forgive them.”

While Murphy took the time to defend Megill, he also made it clear that the Brewers may have to look to a different option on the mound late in games.

“We'll see, I don't know for sure, I'd like to talk to other people about it,” he said. “I mean, obviously, you can't have a guy go out there six times and three times, not do the job.”

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