Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher David Bednar allowed one walk while striking out one over an inning to earn his first save of the season in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Washington Nationals. He entered Sunday's game to protect a two-run lead and retired three of four batters he faced, sealing the Pirates' win. The 27-year-old is splitting closing duties with Chris Stratton but picked up the save opportunity on Sunday. Bednar has been efficient this season, posting a 0.86 WHIP and four strikeouts over four scoreless innings. The Pirates right-hander should be rostered in all league formats as he has the potential to rack up 20 saves with good ratios in 2022.

The Pittsburgh Pirates plan to continue splitting the closing duties between relief pitchers David Bednar and Chris Stratton, which is what they did last year when they traded away then-closer Richard Rodriguez to the Atlanta Braves. Bednar was 3-1 with a 2.23 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and three saves in 60 2/3 innings last year, averaging 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings with a curveball that induced a 46.8% whiff rate. Stratton has evolved from a starter, to middle reliever and now a high-leverage role. He led the team in wins (seven) and saves (eight) by using elite spin rates on his fastball and curve. Bednar is the better reliever of the two, but the fact that he'll be splitting save chances on a bad team makes him a low-end fantasy option for those chasing saves.

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (oblique) is scheduled to throw live batting practice in the coming days, according to Todd Tomczyk, the director of sports medicine for the Pirates. Bednar was placed on the 10-day injured list last week due to a right oblique strain. He was serving as the team's primary closer before the injury, converting each of his three save chances from August 21 until the injury. He has a solid 3.24 ERA and 1.09 WHIP on the year. Chris Stratton has been the Pirates' primary closer with Bednar out, but it seems as if there's a chance Bednar won't be gone too much longer.

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (oblique) has been placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Sept. 11, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Tuesday. The 26-year-old right-hander has been sidelined due to a right oblique strain and could be shut down for the rest of 2021 with just a few weeks left in the regular season and the Pirates sitting 22 games out of a wild-card spot. It's certainly a disappointing end to Bednar's 2021 campaign, as he leaves behind a 3-1 record with a 2.18 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and three saves over 57 2/3 innings pitched.

HOUSTON (AP) — Jose Altuve hit a three-run homer to cap a startling six-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning, getting his jersey yanked off in a frenzied celebration and lifting the Houston Astros over the New York Yankees 8-7 on Sunday. The Astros had been shut out by the Yankees the previous two games, highlighted by ace Gerrit Cole’s three-hitter in a 4-0 win on Saturday night. The win came on Altuve replica jersey giveaway at Minute Maid Park — Houston fans left with a No. 27 shirt, while the All-Star second baseman exited without his. New York led 7-2 after a three-run homer by Gary Sanchez in the eighth inning. After the first two Astros reached base against Domingo Germán in the ninth, Chas McCormick hit a two-run double off Chad Green (3-5). Abraham Toro followed with an RBI double to make it 7-5, still with no outs. Pinch-hitter Jason Castro singled and one out later, Altuve launched his soaring shot to left field. Ralph Garza Jr. (1-2) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings for... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates will lead off the Major League Baseball draft for the fifth time, and first since they took pitcher Gerrit Cole in 2011. Here's a capsule look at some of the top players expected to go early when the draft begins Sunday night in Denver: WILL BEDNAR RHP, Mississippi St., 6-foot-2, 229 pounds, 21 years old. The ace of the national champions' pitching staff and the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series saw his draft stock rise through this season. Bednar, the younger brother of Pirates reliever David Bednar, flashed his mid-90s fastball and solid slider while allowing no hits over six innings in the title-clinching win over Vanderbilt. He finished the season 9-1 with a 3.12 ERA and 139 strikeouts and just 26 walks in 92 1/3 innings. COLTON COWSER OF, Sam Houston St., 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, 21. Bats: L, Throws: R Outstanding all-around hitter with a smooth lefty stroke and quick hands was selected the Southland Conference player of the year... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates will lead off the Major League Baseball draft for the fourth time, and first since they took pitcher Gerrit Cole in 2011. Here's a capsule look at some of the top players expected to go early when the draft begins Sunday night in Denver: WILL BEDNAR RHP, Mississippi St., 6-foot-2, 229 pounds, 21 years old. The ace of the national champions' pitching staff and the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series saw his draft stock rise through this season. Bednar, the younger brother of Pirates reliever David Bednar, flashed his mid-90s fastball and solid slider while allowing no hits over six innings in the title-clinching win over Vanderbilt. He finished the season 9-1 with a 3.12 ERA and 139 strikeouts and just 26 walks in 92 1/3 innings. COLTON COWSER OF, Sam Houston St., 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, 21. Bats: L, Throws: R Outstanding all-around hitter with a smooth lefty stroke and quick hands was selected the Southland Conference player of the year... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his major league-leading 31st homer in the third, and Juan Lagares ended it with a two-run double in the ninth inning of the Los Angeles Angels’ 6-5 comeback victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. Cedric Mullins hit a tiebreaking homer for Baltimore in the ninth in his first game after making his first All-Star team, but the Angels jumped all over Cole Sulser (2-1) without making an out in the bottom half. After Los Angeles loaded the bases on a walk and two short singles, Lagares doubled to the gap in right-center, extending the Angels’ winning streak to five games. Raisel Iglesias (6-3) got the win. Ohtani tied the MLB record for the most homers in a season by a Japanese-born player when he blasted a 459-foot solo shot off Thomas Eshelman to straightaway center. It was his 14th homer in 17 games overall. Less than an hour later, Ohtani became the first player in major league history to be picked for an All-Star Game as both a hitter and... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his major league-leading 31st homer in the third, and Juan Lagares ended it with a two-run double in the ninth inning of the Los Angeles Angels’ 6-5 comeback victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. Cedric Mullins hit a tiebreaking homer for Baltimore in the ninth in his first game after making his first All-Star team, but the Angels jumped all over Cole Sulser (2-1) without making an out in the bottom half. After Los Angeles loaded the bases on a walk and two short singles, Lagares doubled to the gap in right-center, extending the Angels’ winning streak to five games. Raisel Iglesias (6-3) got the win. Ohtani tied the MLB record for the most homers in a season by a Japanese-born player when he blasted a 459-foot solo shot off Thomas Eshelman to straightaway center. It was his 14th homer in 17 games overall. Less than an hour later, Ohtani became the first player in major league history to be picked for an All-Star Game as both a hitter and... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Tyler Anderson pitched seven sparkling innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates snapped Milwaukee’s 11-game winning streak Sunday with a 2-0 victory over the Brewers. Kevin Newman homered and Wilmer Difo had an RBI double as the Pirates stopped a six-game slide. Milwaukee managed just three hits off Anderson (4-8), who broke a personal five-game skid. The left-hander struck out six and walked two while throwing 93 pitches. Milwaukee’s win streak was the second-longest in franchise history. The Brewers won their first 13 games in 1987. David Bednar and Richard Rodriguez finished the four-hitter with one inning apiece. Rodriguez earned his 11th save in 13 opportunities by completing the Pirates’ third shutout of the season. Milwaukee's Freddy Peralta (7-3) had control issues with five walks in six innings. But he allowed just two runs and three hits. METS 10, YANKEES 5, GAME 1 NEW YORK (AP) — Pete Alonso hit a tying homer off Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman, and José Peraza lined... [More]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Tyler Anderson pitched seven sparkling innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates snapped Milwaukee’s 11-game winning streak Sunday with a 2-0 victory over the Brewers. Kevin Newman homered and Wilmer Difo had an RBI double as the Pirates stopped a six-game slide. Milwaukee managed just three hits off Anderson (4-8), who broke a personal five-game skid. The left-hander struck out six and walked two while throwing 93 pitches. Milwaukee’s win streak was the second-longest in franchise history. The Brewers won their first 13 games in 1987. David Bednar and Richard Rodriguez finished the four-hitter with one inning apiece. Rodriguez earned his 11th save in 13 opportunities by completing the Pirates’ third shutout of the season. Milwaukee's Freddy Peralta (7-3) had control issues with five walks in six innings. But he allowed just two runs and three hits. RAYS 5, BLUE JAYS 1 BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Austin Meadows had three hits, including two RBI doubles, and the Rays ended their 10-game... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Max Scherzer threw his glove and hat to the grass, then stared down Phillies manager Joe Girardi after getting checked for a third time by umpires for sticky stuff as the Washington Nationals beat Philadelphia 3-2 Tuesday night. Scherzer (6-4) looked sharp in his return to the rotation after missing a start due to a groin injury, striking out eight in five innings. Girardi apparently didn’t like what he saw. In the fourth, Scherzer threw high and inside to Alec Bohm, sending him sprawling to the ground before striking him out. Prior to the next batter, Girardi asked the umpires to check Scherzer. Scherzer already had been checked by second-base umpire Alfonso Marquez after the first and third inning. So, when he was approached for a third time, this time at Girardi’s request, Scherzer threw his glove and hat to the ground, unbuckled his belt and appeared ready to take his pants off. Yan Gomes had a pair of RBI singles for the Nationals, who have won three straight and... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Max Scherzer threw his glove and hat to the grass, then stared down Phillies manager Joe Girardi after getting checked for a third time by umpires for sticky stuff as the Washington Nationals beat Philadelphia 3-2 Tuesday night. Scherzer (6-4) looked sharp in his return to the rotation after missing a start due to a groin injury, striking out eight in five innings. Girardi apparently didn’t like what he saw. In the fourth, Scherzer threw high and inside to Alec Bohm, sending him sprawling to the ground before striking him out. Prior to the next batter, Girardi asked the umpires to check Scherzer. Scherzer already had been checked by second-base umpire Alfonso Marquez after the first and third inning. So, when he was approached for a third time, this time at Girardi’s request, Scherzer threw his glove and hat to the ground, unbuckled his belt and appeared ready to take his pants off. Yan Gomes had a pair of RBI singles for the Nationals, who have won three straight and... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Max Scherzer threw his glove and hat to the grass, then stared down Phillies manager Joe Girardi after getting checked for a third time by umpires for sticky stuff as the Washington Nationals beat Philadelphia 3-2 Tuesday night. Scherzer (6-4) looked sharp in his return to the rotation after missing a start due to a groin injury, striking out eight in five innings. Girardi apparently didn’t like what he saw. In the fourth, Scherzer threw high and inside to Alec Bohm, sending him sprawling to the ground before striking him out. Prior to the next batter, Girardi asked the umpires to check Scherzer. Scherzer already had been checked by second-base umpire Alfonso Marquez after the first and third inning. So, when he was approached for a third time, this time at Girardi’s request, Scherzer threw his glove and hat to the ground, unbuckled his belt and appeared ready to take his pants off. Yan Gomes had a pair of RBI singles for the Nationals, who have won three straight and... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Max Scherzer threw his glove and hat to the grass, then stared down Phillies manager Joe Girardi after getting checked for a third time by umpires for sticky stuff as the Washington Nationals beat Philadelphia 3-2 Tuesday night. Scherzer (6-4) looked sharp in his return to the rotation after missing a start due to a groin injury, striking out eight in five innings. Girardi apparently didn’t like what he saw. In the fourth, Scherzer threw high and inside to Alec Bohm, sending him sprawling to the ground before striking him out. Prior to the next batter, Girardi asked the umpires to check Scherzer. Scherzer already had been checked by second-base umpire Alfonso Marquez after the first and third inning. So, when he was approached for a third time, this time at Girardi’s request, Scherzer threw his glove and hat to the ground, unbuckled his belt and appeared ready to take his pants off. Yan Gomes had a pair of RBI singles for the Nationals, who have won three straight and... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Cavan Biggio and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. doubled on consecutive pitches to break a ninth-inning tie, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Miami Marlins 2-1 Tuesday night. The hits came with one out against Yimi García (3-6), who entered the game after Sandy Alcantara stymied the Blue Jays while throwing only 86 pitches in eight innings. MLB RBIs leader Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled home the Blue Jays’ first run in the sixth. They improved to 12-2 in interleague games, including 3-0 against Miami. Toronto’s Ross Stripling allowed one run in six innings. Tim Mayza (2-1) pitched a perfect eighth, and Jordan Romano faced only three batters in the ninth for his fourth save to complete a three-hitter. Miami rookie Jesús Sánchez hit his second home run in the second inning. Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo missed the game serving a one-game suspension. The penalty came after MLB concluded Blue Jays rookie Alek Manoah intentionally threw at the Orioles’ Maikel Franco last weekend. REDS 10,... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Teoscar Hernández hit a pair of three-run homers over the Green Monster — two of Toronto’s eight longballs as the Blue Jays routed the Boston Red Sox 18-4 on Sunday. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Cavan Biggio, Rowdy Tellez and Marcus Semien also went deep for the Blue Jays, a day after they had five homers in a 7-2 victory. Guerrero leads the major leagues with 21 homers. The eight home runs were the most ever allowed in a game by the Red Sox. Bichette had four of Toronto’s season-high 20 hits. The Jays also reached a season high for runs. Xander Bogaerts and Bobby Dalbec homered for Boston, Robbie Ray (4-2) struck out 10 over six innings, giving up three runs and four hits., Martín Pérez (4-4) retired only four batters, allowing five runs and six hits. BRAVES 6, MARLINS 4 MIAMI (AP) — Drew Smyly (3-3) allowed two runs over five innings on his 32nd birthday to help Atlanta stop a a four-game slide. Austin Riley homered and drove in three runs, going... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Teoscar Hernández hit a pair of three-run homers over the Green Monster — two of Toronto’s eight longballs as the Blue Jays routed the Boston Red Sox 18-4 on Sunday. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Cavan Biggio, Rowdy Tellez and Marcus Semien also went deep for the Blue Jays, a day after they had five homers in a 7-2 victory. Guerrero leads the major leagues with 21 homers. The eight home runs were the most ever allowed in a game by the Red Sox. Bichette had four of Toronto’s season-high 20 hits. The Jays also reached a season high for runs. Xander Bogaerts and Bobby Dalbec homered for Boston, Robbie Ray (4-2) struck out 10 over six innings, giving up three runs and four hits., Martín Pérez (4-4) retired only four batters, allowing five runs and six hits. BRAVES 6, MARLINS 4 MIAMI (AP) — Drew Smyly (3-3) allowed two runs over five innings on his 32nd birthday to help Atlanta stop a a four-game slide. Austin Riley homered and drove in three runs, going... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Teoscar Hernández hit a pair of three-run homers over the Green Monster — two of Toronto’s eight longballs as the Blue Jays routed the Boston Red Sox 18-4 on Sunday. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Cavan Biggio, Rowdy Tellez and Marcus Semien also went deep for the Blue Jays, a day after they had five homers in a 7-2 victory. Guerrero leads the major leagues with 21 homers. The eight home runs were the most ever allowed in a game by the Red Sox. Bichette had four of Toronto’s season-high 20 hits. The Jays also reached a season high for runs. Xander Bogaerts and Bobby Dalbec homered for Boston, Robbie Ray (4-2) struck out 10 over six innings, giving up three runs and four hits., Martín Pérez (4-4) retired only four batters, allowing five runs and six hits. BRAVES 6, MARLINS 4 MIAMI (AP) — Drew Smyly (3-3) allowed two runs over five innings on his 32nd birthday to help Atlanta stop a a four-game slide. Austin Riley homered and drove in three runs, going... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Madison Bumgarner threw a seven-inning no-hitter, an achievement that won’t count in the Major League Baseball record book but completed a dominant day of Arizona Diamondbacks pitching for a 7-0 win over the Atlanta Braves and a doubleheader sweep Sunday. Bumgarner (2-2) struck out seven and walked none. The only Braves batter who reached base against him came on shortstop Nick Ahmed’s throwing error in the second inning. Officially, Bumgarner’s gem won’t count in the list of no-hitters. MLB’s eight-man committee on statistical accuracy decided in 1991 that a no-hitter was a game of nine or more innings that ended with no hits. In the opener, Zac Gallen (1-0) pitched a one-hitter, allowing Freddie Freeman’s sharp single to right-center field with one out in the sixth of a 5-0 win. This was the first time a team pitched two complete-game shutouts in a doubleheader since Boston’s Reggie Cleveland and Don Aase at Toronto on Sept. 5 1977 Arizona has won six of seven. Stephen... [More]