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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Bednar blew a save opportunity against the Padres on Wednesday, giving up one run on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter over one inning.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar entered in the top of the ninth frame with the Pirates clinging to a one-run lead. He retired one batter before Jackson Merrill knotted the score with a solo shot to center field. Bednar then got into more trouble with a hit-by-pitch and a walk, but he was able to bounce back with consecutive outs to send the game into an extra inning. The blown save was his first since April 9 and just his third in 23 chances this season. That's a perfectly acceptable save percentage, but Bednar hasn't been as sharp this year as in seasons past, as evidenced by his 5.17 ERA and 1.23 WHIP through 38.1 innings.

Bednar recorded his 20th save of the season in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks, giving up one run on two hits and one walk over one inning. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Entrusted with a 4-1 lead in the ninth inning, Bednar fanned the first two batters he faced before a Geraldo Perdomo double kicked off an Arizona rally that saw Alek Thomas come to the plate as the potential winning run, only to fly out. Bednar has been charged with a run in five of his last 10 appearances, but he's still converted all seven of his save chances during that stretch -- in fact, the right-hander hasn't blown a save since April 9.

Bednar allowed a run on two hits and two walks over one inning, earning the save in Monday's 5-3 win over the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar had a three-run lead to protect, but he made things hairy. He allowed three straight batters to reach with one out, then walked Yordan Alvarez with the bases loaded and two outs. Yainer Diaz's popout ended the threat as Bednar escaped with his third save over five appearances since he returned from an oblique strain. The right-hander is 19-for-22 in save chances this year despite a 4.95 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB over 36.1 innings.

Bednar pitched a scoreless ninth inning to notch his 18th save of the season, allowing one hit and zero walks while striking out one batter.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar allowed a two-out single to Paul Goldschmidt but he promptly struck out Nolan Gorman to secure the win for Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old has rebounded from a tough start to the season, logging a 2.45 ERA and converting all seven save chances since June 1. Bednar still owns a 4.98 ERA on the season, but his 1.08 WHIP points to a potential post All-Star break turnaround.

Bednar struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 17th save of the season in a 4-1 win over the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Activated from the IL earlier in the day after recovering from an oblique strain that cost him nearly a month of action, Bednar fired nine of 12 pitches for strikes while topping out at 97.1 mph with his fastball. Aroldis Chapman had a 4.70 ERA over 7.2 innings in Bednar's absence while converting three of four save chances, and he should return to setup duties now that Bednar is healthy.

The Pirates reinstated Bednar (oblique) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander delivered a scoreless frame in his lone rehab appearance with Double-A Altoona on Tuesday, and that's apparently all the Pirates needed to see before bringing him back from the injured list. Bednar missed about three weeks due to the oblique strain, and he should reclaim closing duties from Aroldis Chapman now that he's healthy.

Bednar (oblique) didn't allow a baserunner and struck out one in a scoreless inning of work in a rehab appearance Tuesday with Double-A Altoona.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was originally scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Indianapolis, but weather concerns shifted his appearance to Altoona. Regardless, it was a positive outing and he is presumably nearing a return to the big-league mound.