Bednar struck out one and didn't allow a baserunner in the ninth inning Tuesday against the Cubs.
Bednar entered the game with a 5-0 lead and turned in his second consecutive scoreless appearance since losing the closer job for the Pirates. It's unclear whether the team will return him to the role if he continues to show improved form in low-leverage situations.
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Pirates' David Bednar: Loses hold on closer spot
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Manager Derek Shelton said Friday that Bednar will be temporarily removed from the closer role and pitch in lower-leverage situations, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
The decision to relieve Bednar of his duties as closer comes two days after he allowed five earned runs on three hits and two walks in just two-thirds of an inning during Wednesday's loss to the Cubs. The Pirates will now use a closer-by-committee approach, making Aroldis Chapman and Jalen Beeks likely candidates to see increased opportunities in the ninth inning.
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Pirates' David Bednar: Disastrous second half continues
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Bednar (3-7) was charged with the loss and a blown save after he allowed five earned runs on three hits and two walks across 0.2 innings Wednesday against the Cubs.
Bednar was tasked with protecting a two-run lead to begin the ninth inning. He allowed a trio of singles, the final of which was a two-run knock with the bases loaded. Since the start of August, Bednar has allowed at least one earned run in seven of his 11 appearances and a total of 13 earned runs across 10.2 frames. Aroldis Chapman was also hit hard Wednesday but has pitched better than Bednar in the second half, and he could be in line for save chances in the final month of the regular season.
Bednar earned the save against the Reds on Friday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one over a scoreless ninth inning.
Bednar was summoned to protect a 6-5 lead in the ninth frame and put runners on the corners with two outs before getting Elly De La Cruz to line out. It was just his third scoreless outing in nine August appearances, but the closer has converted three consecutive save chances. On the year, Bednar has converted 23 of 28 save attempts with a 5.56 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 49:16 K:BB across 45.1 innings.
Bednar (3-6) took the loss Wednesday against the Rangers, allowing a run on three hits over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.
With the game scoreless in the bottom of the ninth, Bednar allowed a pair of singles to lead off the frame. He managed to retire Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Jung before giving up a two-out, walk-off single to Wyatt Langford. It's the third loss in six outings for Bednar, who's allowed nine earned runs in his last nine innings. His ERA is up to 5.68 on the season with a 1.35 WHIP and 48:15 K:BB across 44.1 innings. Bednar has 22 saves in 27 chances this year, though he could lose work in the ninth to Aroldis Chapman if his struggles continue.
Bednar struck out one without allowing a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday against the Rangers.
Bednar allowed at least one earned run in six consecutive outings from July 29 to Aug. 16, and he also blew two saves and took two losses in that span. Nevertheless, he has maintained the closer role and has now turned in consecutive scoreless appearances. If Bednar can remain on track, he should be a decent source of saves the rest of the season.
Bednar earned the save in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Mariners, striking out two in a perfect inning.
Bednar was called upon with the bases loaded in the ninth frame and retired all three batters he faced on just nine pitches. It was the first time in six August outings the closer didn't yield at least one run, and it was also his first perfect outing since July 12. On the season, the 29-year-old has converted 22 of 27 save chances with a 5.70 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 46:15 K:BB across 42.2 innings.
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Pirates' David Bednar: Collects 21st save
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Bednar gave up a run on two hits in ninth inning Friday, recording his 21st save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Mariners. He struck out three.
The right-hander served up a solo shot to Jorge Polanco, marring what was otherwise an impressive performance. Bednar has been tagged for at least one run in a stunning six straight appearances, posting an 8:7 K:BB in 6.1 innings over that stretch and blowing two of five save chances. That August swoon has sent his ERA on the season soaring to 5.83, and while the Pirates don't seem inclined to remove him from the closer role, Aroldis Chapman has a 0.82 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB in 11 innings since the All-Star break.
Bednar (3-5) took the loss Sunday against the Dodgers, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk while striking out a batter over 1.2 innings.
Bednar was able to successfully send the game into extras with a scoreless ninth inning. He was staked a one-run lead after the Pirates scored in the 10th but immediately gave it back after Enrique Hernandez led off the bottom half with a double. He was able to get a strikeout on Jason Heyward and a foul out by Shohei Ohtani before Teoscar Hernandez walked things off with a base hit to right. Sunday was the fifth straight outing for Bednar allowing at least a run. He's only given up one home run over that span but has a 5:7 K:BB as well. Aroldis Chapman has allowed just one run in 10 appearances since July 20, however, there's been no indication of a possible change at closer for right now. Bednar, who came into this year making each of the last two All-Star games, now owns a 5.75 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 41:15 K:BB in 40.2 innings.
Pirates' David Bednar: Blows another save, takes loss
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Bednar (3-4) took the loss Thursday, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning against the Padres. He struck out one.
Bednar couldn't finish the ninth, blowing his second save in as many days. It was the fifth blown save for the Pirates' closer, who allowed at least one earned run for the fourth consecutive outing, though it's the first time he's given up more than one earned run since April 26. Bednar once again struggled with his command, walking two to give him seven walks and a hit batsman over his last five appearances after having walked only seven batters over his first 37 outings. Bednar's ERA now stands at 5.77 with a 1.31 WHIP, though he had posted a 2.86 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 29 games prior to these last two performances against San Diego.
