David

Bednar

In his first game since returning from the paternity list, Bednar was sharp. He needed 17 pitches to get through his lone inning of work and retired all three batters he faced via strikeout. Bednar’s scoreless inning streak now sits at 15 innings, as he has not allowed a run since May 18th.

He missed three days for his new job. Bednar should re-assume closing duties for the Yankees, though there hasn’t been much need for that role over the past seven games as New York’s hit a small tailspin.

Congrats to David Bednar and his growing family. He will likely return in the middle of the week and resume his closing duties. The Yankees will likely use a committee approach with him gone. In June, Brent Headrick has had the next best win probability added of all Yankees’ relievers, but Fernando Cruz has been pitching the highest leverage innings. Perhaps Cruz and Headrick will form a committee for the two or three days Bednar is gone.

Bednar made this save a bit too interesting when Dillon Dingler came up as the tying run with two outs in the ninth, but forced him to hit a lazy fly ball on the first pitch of the at-bat. That now makes it 11 consecutive scoreless outings for Bednar as he’s gotten his season completely back on track.

Bednar came in to protect a one-run lead in the eighth inning with a man on base and two outs. He got Spencer Torkelson to pop up before retiring the side in order in the ninth inning. Bednar locked up his 15th save. He has a 3.38 ERA and 2.97 xFIP. Bednar has been one of the safer closer options this year.

Bednar got the call to protect a two-run lead in the ninth and needed just 13 pitches (10 strikes) to slam the door, setting down Andrés Giménez, George Springer and Nathan Lukes on strikes to preserve the win. The 31-year-old veteran stopper has converted 14 of 16 save opportunities this season. He’s reeled off seven consecutive scoreless appearances dating back to May 22.

He struck out three and walked one. Bednar threw 27 pitches tonight after 11 on Sunday, so he’ll most likely be down on Tuesday. Fernando Cruz could be a candidate for a save then.

Bednar notched three consecutive ground outs from Travis Bazzana, Angel Martínez, and Chase DeLauter to secure a 2-1 win for the Bronx Bombers. While the 4.32 ERA is a bit unsightly, Bednar’s xERA of 2.83 and 99th percentile chase rate are signs that he’s not really close to losing the job at this point. He is walking a few more batters than he did last year and his fastball velocity is slightly down.

It’s Bednar’s second straight scoreless appearance after he gave up runs in three straight outings and five of seven. He’d actually given up runs each of the last four times he’d successfully converted saves. The back-to-back scoreless outings take a little heat off him for now. He’s 12-for-14 in his save chances on the season.

Bednar picked up his 11th save against the Blue Jays on Monday, but it wasn’t without suspense. With a two-run lead, the 31-year-old right-hander walked Ernie Clement to start the ninth inning. Jesus Sanchez promptly entered the game and hit an RBI double. Bednar then struck out two of the next three hitters before getting Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to ground out to end the game. While it was a tightrope walk, Bednar bounced back after blowing his second save against the Mets on Sunday.