Bednar allowed one hit and struck out one over a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Sunday against the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar allowed a two-out double but otherwise looked sharp for the second consecutive day as he earned his sixth save Sunday, dropping his ERA to 9.69 and WHIP to 1.46 in the process. Despite the scoreless effort, the Pirates' stopper has allowed at least one run in seven of his 15 appearances this season. Pirate fans and fantasy managers alike hope these last two performances against the listless Rockies will serve as a momentum boost for Bednar, who entered the season as one of the top closers in baseball.

Bednar (2-2) didn't allow a baserunner and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the win Saturday against the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar entered in the ninth inning of a scoreless game and held the Rockies in check. It was a needed positive outing, as he entered Saturday having given up runs in each of his last three appearances. Bednar has an ugly 10.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 12 frames for the season, though there is no indication that he's in danger of losing the closer role.

Bednar earned the save against the Giants on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits while striking out three over one inning.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar entered the game with a three-run lead in the bottom of the 10th and surrendered a two-run shot to Jorge Soler in the leadoff at-bat to make it 4-3. The reliever also allowed an infield single in the frame but managed to work his way through it, getting all his outs by way of strikeout. Bednar has now converted each of his last four save attempts, though he's also allowed at least one run in back-to-back appearances, leaving him with a dreadful 13.50 ERA in April.

Bednar (1-2) took the loss Friday against the Giants after he allowed three runs on two hits and a walk without recording an out.

EDGE Analysis

Pirates manager Derek Shelton turned to his closer in the bottom of the ninth of a scoreless tie, but Bednar gave up a walk and a single before serving up a walk-off, three-run homer to Patrick Bailey. Bednar entered the contest with three straight scoreless appearances, but he has now allowed at least three runs in three separate outings and has a 12.00 ERA across nine innings overall. The right-hander is 4-for-7 in save opportunities and has seen his job security decline significantly after beginning the campaign as one of the top closers in MLB with 58 saves and a 2.27 ERA in the previous two seasons.

Bednar earned the save in Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the Brewers, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

After a shaky start to the year, Bednar's now delivered three straight scoreless appearances, allowing just one hit in that span. Overall, he's 4-for-7 in save chances with a 9.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB through 12 innings this season.

Bednar picked up the save Monday against the Brewers. He pitched one shutout inning, allowing one hit and no walks with one strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar appeared to be back to his All-Star form Monday night, locking down his third save without issue. The one hit he allowed came via an infield single from the speedy Jackson Chourio. Despite sporting an unsightly 10.13 ERA, Bednar is firmly cemented as the Pittsburgh closer.

Bednar tossed one clean inning, striking out one during Sunday's 6-1 loss to the Red Sox.

EDGE Analysis

While the Pirates were down five heading into the ninth, the much-needed nondescript outing was noteworthy for Bednar who had allowed nine runs over his first six innings of the season including seven runs over the last two innings coming into Sunday's action. Bednar's hold on the closer's job in PIttsburgh remains strong as Sunday's outing will hopefully serve to get him back on the right track.

Bednar allowed three earned runs on two hits and a walk while striking out two across 0.2 innings Wednesday against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar hadn't pitched since Friday so the Pirates got him work, even with a five-run deficit. He allowed three of the first four batters he faced to reach base and allowed an earned run, but he did manage to end his appearance with a pair of punchouts. His poor line was made worse when Josh Fleming allowed a pair of inherited runners to score. Though it didn't come in a save situation, Bednar's appearance didn't help get his season on track, as he's allowed at least one earned run in four of his seven appearances and has an ERA of 13.50.

Bednar earned a save in Friday's 5-2 win over Philadelphia, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar turned in a much-needed performance Friday after giving up four runs and receiving his third blown save of the year during Tuesday's loss to Detroit. He looked much more like his All-Star self against the Phillies, throwing 11 of his 16 pitches for strikes and striking out Nick Castellanos on three pitches to begin the ninth. It's still too early to tell if Bednar has fully gotten past his early-season struggles, but Friday was certainly a step in the right direction.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said in an interview on 93.7 The Fan Pittsburgh that Bednar will be available in a save situation if one arises in Thursday's game versus the Phillies, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar already has three blown saves on the young season after suffering a meltdown in Tuesday's loss to the Tigers. The All-Star closer has simply not looked like himself after battling a lat issue during spring training, but it's not a surprise that Shelton isn't ready to make a change in the ninth inning at this juncture. Bednar's track record indicates he should straighten things out sooner rather than later, but if Bednar's struggles continue, Shelton could turn to Aroldis Chapman for a bit.