Bednar pitched a scoreless ninth inning, giving up only one hit while striking out one batter to earn the save in a 5-2 win over the Yankees on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was called upon to protect a three-run Pirates lead in the top of the ninth. He pitched an uneventful frame which prevented the heart of the Yankees order from coming to the plate to earn his 13th save of the season. It was the second strong appearance in a row for Bednar who boasts a quality 2.47 ERA and 1.00 WHIP . The Pirates' poor record will limit Bednar's save totals but the 27-year-old right-hander is the man who manager Derek Shelton will turn to whenever save opportunities arise.

Bednar saved Saturday's 7-4 win against the Brewers, recording one walk and one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar appeared to have the night off, but Milwaukee scored twice in the eighth inning to necessitate his services. After struggling in his most recent appearance Thursday, the 27-year-old issued a four-pitch walk to Christian Yelich to lead off the ninth. He then retired the next three Brewers in order to register his first save since June 15. Despite surrendering six runs over his prior 4.1 innings, Bednar still possess a quality 2.43 ERA and even 1.00 WHIP with 50 strikeouts through 37 innings.

Bednar (back) allowed three earned runs on four hits and a walk across 0.2 innings Thursday against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar pitched for the first time since June 25 and was immediately inserted back into the ninth-inning role with a four-run lead. However, things didn't go according to plan from there, and he was pulled before he could record the final out of the game. It remains to be seen whether the poor performance was caused primarily by rust, or it's an indication that he's still not at full health. If Bednar becomes unavailable for an extended amount of time, Yerry De Los Santos appears to be the next man up for saves.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Bednar (back) won't be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's game in Washington but is expected to avoid a stint on the injured list, Chris Halicke of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar hasn't pitched since Saturday on account of a sore lower back, an injury that may have played a part in him uncharacteristically walking two batters and surrendering two runs in a blown save during his last time on the mound. Prior to that game, Bednar had produced a 1.30 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB across 34.2 innings while notching 11 saves in 13 chances, so he should have a decent amount of job security as the Pirates' closer.

Bednar is dealing with a lower-back issue and is unavailable Tuesday against the Nationals, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Derek Shelton said they are hoping to avoid an injured list stint for the back issue that Bednar has been dealing with, which had gone unreported until now. Two of Bednar's three blown saves have come in his last three appearances, and he has given up three runs while striking out seven in 3.2 innings over that stretch. It's unclear who would be next up behind Bednar, but Wil Crowe and Chris Stratton seem like potential options.

Bednar (3-2) was charged with the loss after he pitched two-thirds of an inning, surrendering two runs on two hits and two walks on his way to a blown save Saturday versus the Rays. He struck out one batter.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was called upon to protect a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning and he retired the first two batters he faced before imploding. He issued back-to-back two-out walks before Jonathan Aranda singled to load the bases. Isaac Paredes then promptly ripped a two-run single, delivering the Rays a walkoff win. Bednar suffered his third blown save of the season and blew his second straight opportunity. The closer still owns a 1.78 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over 35.1 innings while he's converted 11 out of 14 save chances this year.

Bednar (3-1) allowed a run on one hit and a walk over two innings Sunday, striking out four and earning a win over the Giants. He also blew a save chance.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was called upon to attempt another multi-inning save but coughed up a game-tying home run to Thairo Estrada in the ninth frame. Jack Suwinski later drilled a walkoff shot, giving Bednar the victory. Despite the slight hiccup, the 27-year-old righty still owns a strong 1.34 ERA with a 46:8 K:BB through 33.2 innings.

Bednar allowed a hit and a walk while striking out four in 2.2 scoreless innings to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar entered with one out in the seventh inning and just kept going, throwing 26 of 43 pitches for strikes in his longest appearance of the year. He's now 11-for-12 in save opportunities across 25 outings. The right-hander owns a 1.14 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 42:7 K:BB through 31.2 innings overall. He's pitched on each of the last two days, but an off day Thursday bodes well for his availability for any save chances that arise during the three-game weekend series versus the Giants.

Bednar struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning to earn a save over Arizona on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar made his first appearance since May 30 when he coughed up two runs and earned a win over the Dodgers. He showed no signs of rust Sunday, needing just 13 pitches to retire the Diamondbacks in order and finish off the Pirates' combined shutout. The 27-year-old has now converted 10 of his 11 save chances while posting a 37:5 K:BB with a 1.33 ERA through 22 appearances.

Bednar (2-1) allowed two earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four across two innings to earn the win Monday against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar entered the game in the eighth inning and was tasked with preserving a one-run lead. However, he surrendered three hits -- including a pair of doubles -- to allow the Dodgers to take a one-run lead. After the Pirates rallied in the ninth frame, Bednar remained in the game and worked around another extra-base knock to secure his second win of the season. The effort ended a stretch of eight scoreless appearances for Bednar, though he still has an excellent 1.38 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 35:5 K:BB across 26 innings for the season.