Pirates' David Bednar named NL reliever of the month

David Bednar punctuated a marvelous month with a “gritty” two-inning, 50-pitch outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers and an expletive to express his excitement.

After notching seven saves in May, the Pittsburgh Pirates closer was named NL reliever of the month.

“It’s cool. It’s definitely an honor but, ultimately, it means that when I’m throwing it well I give our guys a chance to win games,” Bednar said. “That’s the main thing and the only thing that really matters.”

Pirates closer David Bednar talks about being named NL reliever of the month and just how excited he was in his interview that went viral. pic.twitter.com/Uvq8tsyEOI

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) June 3, 2022

The first Pirates pitcher to win the honors since Felipe Vazquez in August 2019, Bednar was 2-1 with a 1.65 ERA and 0.74 WHIP in 16 1/3 innings over 12 appearances, recording 21 strikeouts and allowing two walks. He pitched eight scoreless innings between May 11 and May 28.

The 27-year-old right-hander became the second pitcher in franchise history to notch at least seven saves and 21 strikeouts without allowing more than two free passes in a calendar month, joining Jason Grilli in May 2013.

“When you have stability at the end of the game and you have the opportunity to win, it’s something that you lean on,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “We’ve leaned on David, and he’s presented himself in such a good way and won that award but that stability at the end of the game is extremely important for a young club.”

Former Pirate Clay Holmes, who was traded to the New York Yankees last July, was named AL reliever of the month.