DAVID BEDNAR NEWS

Takes eighth loss Bednar (3-8) was charged with a blown save and took the loss against the Cardinals on Wednesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit and one walk over one-third of an innin...

Impact Bednar entered the contest with the score tied in the bottom of the seventh and proceeded to give up a leadoff homer to Masyn Winn on a hanging curveball to open the frame. The right-handed reliever would then manage to retire just one of the next three batters he faced before being relieved by Jalen Beeks, who didn't fare any better. It marked the seventh blown save of the season for Bednar, with his previous one coming back on Aug. 28, just before he was removed from the closer role. He's now allowed at least one run in three of his last six appearances and carries a 5.14 ERA in the month of September to go along with a dreadful 6:8 K:BB.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Walker's 3-run double, homers from Winn and Donovan lead Cardinals to 10-5 win over Pirates

Jordan Walker hit a bases-loaded double to highlight a six-run seventh inning, lifting the St. Louis Cardinals to a 10-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday in the thi...

SEPTEMBER 19 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bednar brothers looking forward to overdue offseason of throwing, training together ALTOONA, Pa. – It’s been three years since David Bednar’s handy offseason catch partner was last at his disposal. After the Giants selected....

SEPTEMBER 18 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Shaky in save situation Bednar allowed one unearned run on two hits while striking out two across 0.2 innings Wednesday against the Marlins.

Impact Bednar started the ninth inning with a 3-0 lead. He had an inconsistent performance as he allowed a leadoff double and an RBI single, but he struck out two and would have stranded the runner successfully had there not been an error behind him. Bednar hasn't recorded a save since Aug. 23 and has since been removed from the closer role, though it appears the Pirates may be willing to give him more save chances before the close of the season.

SEPTEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Bailey Falter carries no-hitter into 7th inning, Pirates beat Marlins 3-1 for sweep of season series

Pittsburgh left-hander Bailey Falter carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and the Pirates beat the Miami Marlins 3-1 for a sweep of the season series

SEPTEMBER 11 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Clemente Award nomination has special meaning for Pittsburgh native Bednar This story was excerpted from Alex Stumpf’s Pirates Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regula...

SEPTEMBER 11 • MLB.COM

Vargas' two-run double in the ninth rallies Nationals past Pirates 8-6 for doubleheader sweep

Ildemaro Vargas hit a two-run double off Aroldis Chapman in Washington’s four-run ninth inning, and the Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-6 for a doubleheader sweep

SEPTEMBER 7 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Throws clean ninth inning Bednar struck out one and didn't allow a baserunner in the ninth inning Tuesday against the Cubs.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Paul Skenes and Jared Triolo help the Pirates blank the Cubs 5-0

Paul Skenes pitched five effective innings while struggling with his location, and the Pittsburgh Pirates handed the Chicago Cubs another tough loss with a 5-0 victory

SEPTEMBER 4 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bednar frustrated, but confident All-Star form within reach CLEVELAND -- Amid an August where he’s struggled, blown three saves and has now been removed from the Pirates’ closer role, David Bednar kee...

AUGUST 31 • MLB.COM

After blown save vs. Cubs, Pirates remove Bednar from closer role CLEVELAND -- Following his sixth blown save of the season Wednesday, David Bednar is being removed from the Pirates’ closer role for the tim...

AUGUST 31 • MLB.COM

Loses hold on closer spot Manager Derek Shelton said Friday that Bednar will be temporarily removed from the closer role, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Disastrous second half continues Bednar (3-7) allowed five earned runs on three hits and two walks across 0.2 innings to take the loss and blow the save Wednesday against the Cubs.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Christian Bethancourt drives in 7 as Chicago Cubs rally past Pirates for 14-10 victory

Christian Bethancourt drove in seven runs, including a go-ahead two-run single in the ninth, as the Chicago Cubs rallied past the Pittsburgh Pirates 14-10

AUGUST 28 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Earns 23rd save Bednar earned the save against the Reds on Friday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one over a scoreless ninth inning.

Impact 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, he is 23-for-28 in save attempts with a 5.56 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 49:16 K:BB across 45.1 innings.

AUGUST 24 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates take advantage of overextended Cincinnati bullpen to rally for a 6-5 win

Bryan De La Cruz drove in a pair of runs and the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied past the Cincinnati Reds 6-5

AUGUST 24 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Takes loss vs. Rangers 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.

Impact With the game scoreless in the bottom of the ninth, Bednar allowed a pair of singles to lead off the frame. He'd manage to set down 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 does have 22 saves in 27 chances this year, though he could lose work in the ninth to Aroldis Chapman if his struggles continue.

AUGUST 21 • ROTOWIRE

Wyatt Langford's single with 2 out in 9th inning lifts Rangers past Pirates 1-0

Wyatt Langford’s single scored pinch-runner Ezequiel Duran with two out in the ninth inning, giving the Texas Rangers a 1-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates

AUGUST 21 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Another clean outing Bednar struck out one without allowing a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday against the Rangers.

Impact Bednar allowed at least one earned run in six consecutive outings spanning 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 now has consecutive scoreless appearances. If Bednar can remain on track, he should be a decent source of saves for the rest of the season.

AUGUST 21 • ROTOWIRE

Earns 22nd save Bednar earned the save in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Mariners, striking out two in a perfect inning.

Impact 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 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.

AUGUST 18 • ROTOWIRE

Kiner-Falefa collects 3 hits as the Pirates beat the sliding Mariners 7-2

Isiah Kiner-Falefa had three hits, including a first-inning homer, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the skidding Seattle Mariners 7-2

AUGUST 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Collects 21st save 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.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE

Paul Skenes ends 4-start winless streak, Pirates end 10-game skid with a 5-3 win over Mariners

Paul Skenes struck out six and ended a four-start winless streak, and the Pittsburgh Pirates snapped a 10-game skid with a 5-3 win over the Seattle Mariners

AUGUST 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Struggles continue in loss 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.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE

Blows another save, takes loss Bednar (3-4) took the loss Thursday, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks over 0.2 innings against the Padres. He struck out one.

Impact 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 Thursday to give him seven walks and a hit batsman over his last five appearances after having walk only seven 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 spanning 28.1 innings prior to these last two performances against San Diego.

AUGUST 9 • ROTOWIRE