Bednar has retired all six batters he’s faced since being sent down eight days ago. It definitely doesn’t mean he’s back as a bullpen force, but if he continues to have success, he’ll probably rejoin the Pirates within a week or two, and he might get another chance to close in short order.

Was this the only way to get Derek Shelton to stop using him in the ninth? Bednar faced nine hitters in three appearances to begin the year and retired just three, giving up four runs and taking two losses to go along with a lone save. He did seem to be unlucky in the process — much of the contact against him was soft — but given how bad he was in the second half of last year and this spring, no further patience was warranted. The Pirates will probably turn to Colin Holderman and/or Dennis Santana in save chances. Neither seems like a must-grab player in shallow leagues right away.

Derek Hill started the ninth inning off with an infield single. He then attempted to steal second base when Endy Rodriguez soared the throw into center field, allowing Hill to take third base. On the next pitch, Rodriguez was unable to block a splitter in the dirt, and Hill scored on a wild pitch to win the game. Bednar is 0-2 with a 27.00 ERA on the season, but now may be the time to buy him in fantasy leagues. He is sitting 97 mph with his four-seamer fastball and has been let down by his defense and luck in his first few outings.

There’s been a lot of fanfare regarding the Pirates’ closer role and things reached a fever-pitch after their collective bullpen (and defensive) implosion against the lowly Marlins on opening day. Then, Bednar walked Matt Mervis to start this inning and promptly gave up a home run to Otto Lopez on the very next pitch. He did bear down to complete the save, but there’s no telling if he gets the next chance to close.