Bednar saved Saturday's 4-2 win against the Padres, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

After Pittsburgh took the lead in the top of the ninth inning, Bednar entered for the bottom of the frame and retired the side in order on 12 pitches. It was a nice rebound from Tuesday's loss and the 27-year-old has compiled a strong May that features seven successful save opportunities, a 0.63 ERA, 0.49 WHIP and 17:1 K:BB in 14.1 innings.

Bednar (1-1) allowed an unearned run on one hit while striking out one to take the loss Tuesday against Colorado.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar entered the game in the 10th inning with the score knotted at one. He retired the first batter he faced but allowed a single to Connor Joe, which drove in a run and stuck Bednar with the loss. Bednar has been excellent to begin the season, maintaining a 0.78 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and a 30:4 K:BB across 23 innings.

Bednar (1-0) allowed one hit and a walk in a scoreless outing while earning a win over Colorado on Monday. He struck out one and recorded four outs.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar gave up an infield single to Brendan Rodgers in the eighth inning and a walk to Elias Diaz in the ninth -- both with two outs -- but still finished off the win for Pittsburgh. He's turned in six straight shutout appearances, lowering his season ERA to 0.82 with a stellar 29:4 K:BB. Bednar is 1-0 while converting all eight save chances on the year.

Bednar saved Wednesday's 3-2 win against the Cubs, allowing one hit with two strikeouts in two innings.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was brought in for the eighth to face the heart of Chicago's lineup and stayed in for the ninth, surrendering a Christopher Morel single with two out in the ninth as the only baserunner. The 27-year-old found the zone with 21 of his 28 pitches and induced an impressive tally of five swinging strikes in lowering his ERA to 0.90. Bednar has covered multiple innings in three of his six saves in May and appears to have earned manager Derek Shelton's full trust.

Bednar tossed a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Sunday's win over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar failed to record a strikeout during an appearance for the first time this year during Sunday's outing, but he still picked up his fifth save in his last six appearances. The right-hander has converted all seven of his save chances while posting a 1.00 ERA, 25:3 K:BB and 0.61 WHIP in 18 innings over 15 appearances this season. Chris Stratton has also taken on some ninth-inning duties early in the season, but Bednar appears to be the current favorite for save chances.

Bednar did not allow a baserunner and struck out three across two innings to earn the save Wednesday against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Chris Stratton and Wil Crowe combined to get through the seventh inning, so Bednar entered in the eighth frame. Even with his extended appearance, Bednar needed only 21 pitches to retire six batters and record his fifth save. Bednar appeared to be in line to share the closer role with Stratton, though he has now recorded each of the Pirates' last four saves. His performance this season indicates he's capable of holding the role, as he has a 1.15 ERA and 24:3 K:BB across 15.2 innings.

Bednar struck out the side in the ninth inning to earn the save in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar had to throw 17 pitches, but he ultimately managed to tally his fourth save of the season with little trouble. He's held opponents scoreless in 10 of his 11 appearances this season while racking up a very impressive 20:3 K:BB across 12.2 innings. While Chris Stratton has also recorded two saves this season, Bednar has served as the closer for each of Pittsburgh's last two chances and has exhibited the skills to succeed in the role.

Bednar allowed two hits and a walk in a shutout inning Sunday, striking out three and earning a save over the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar allowed back-to-back doubles to Rafael Ortega and Seiya Suzuki before intentionally walking Ian Happ to load the bases in the ninth inning. Frank Schwindel would become his third strikeout victim of the inning as Bednar finished off the 4-3 win. The 27-year-old Pittsburgh native has yet to allow a run through eight innings this season while posting a 12:2 K:BB.

Bednar allowed one hit but struck out three across a scoreless inning to earn a hold Friday against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar entered the game in the eighth inning with a 4-2 lead. He surrendered a leadoff hit, but he struck out the next three batters he faced. Bednar has made consecutive appearances pitching in high-leverage situations, rather than in the ninth inning to collect a save. As the team's best reliever, that usage makes sense. However, it also means that Chris Stratton is likely to pick up saves on occasions when Bednar is used earlier in the game.

Bednar walked one batter and struck out another in a scoreless ninth inning Sunday, earning a save over the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar earned his first hold Saturday and picked up his first save Sunday. The 27-year-old Pittsburgh native issued a one-out walk to Juan Soto but finished off the 5-3 victory with relative ease. He's opened the season with a 4.2-inning shutout streak and could start carving out a larger share of the closing duties if he continues to perform at this level.