David Bednar punctuates 100th career save with a punchout as Pirates beat Diamondbacks

With the trade deadline looming and his name the subject of rumors, David Bednar knows that every time the lights go out and Styx’s “Renegade” plays over the speakers at PNC Park could be his last.

Bednar got emotional thinking about what could be his final appearance in a night game in his hometown wearing a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform.

“I’m just soaking in every moment, being where my feet are,” Bednar said, “and enjoying the hell out of it.”

The two-time All-Star closer has been lights out for the Pirates since returning to the major leagues after an April demotion that shook his confidence, tested his determination and provided ample motivation.

Bednar hit a benchmark Saturday night, retiring the side in order in the ninth inning to earn his 100th career save and close out a 2-0 victory over Arizona Diamondbacks before a crowd of 27,425 at PNC Park.

“It was huge,” Bednar said. “It was an awesome crowd, and it’s always great pitching at PNC Park. It was awesome, especially after the ups and downs. It just makes it that much sweeter.”

Protecting the lead — which came courtesy of a 410-foot, two-run home run by Oneil Cruz — was important to Bednar. The Mars alum ran his streak of scoreless innings to 23 consecutive, which dates to May 24 against the Milwaukee Brewers. Bednar has a 1.50 ERA over his last 38 outings, allowing only six earned runs over 36 innings.

As a fellow Pittsburgh native, Pirates manager Don Kelly appreciated that Bednar reached the milestone in front of the hometown crowd by capping his 16th consecutive save opportunity.

“That’s sick. All here in Pittsburgh and just the way he’s done it, especially after last year and coming back this year, bouncing back, regaining his stuff, his confidence, it’s awesome,” Kelly said. “And it was exciting. You could feel the energy. The crowd was unbelievable. They were into the game the whole time and really for (Bednar), just really happy for him to have that moment in Pittsburgh to get his 100th.”

It was a game that appeared more like an audition for potential suitors, and the Pirates got the most out of their trade chips. In what could be his final start for the Pirates, Andrew Heaney tossed five shutout innings. Relievers Caleb Ferguson, Dennis Santana and Bednar also delivered scoreless frames.

Heaney, who signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract with the Pirates in February, is a likely trade candidate. The 34-year-old left-hander allowed two hits and had four strikeouts without a walk while throwing 47 of his 71 pitches for strikes.

“Obviously, (I’ve) been really struggling, and just kind of got a few things cleaned up and feeling better about it,” Heaney said. “Just a step in the right direction, for sure.”

Ferguson, who is on a one-year, $3 million deal, also is likely to be moved by MLB’s 6 p.m. trade deadline on July 31. Santana and Bednar remain under club control but have generated trade interest because of their effectiveness in high-leverage situations.

The Pirates got the lead in the second inning.

Tommy Pham, another player on a one-year deal, reached on an error by third baseman Eugenio Suarez. Cruz crushed Merrill Kelly’s 0-1 inside cutter to center for his 17th home run. It was the first homer for Cruz since starring in the Home Run Derby, his first for the Pirates since a solo shot in 4-3 loss July 8 at Kansas City.

“He smoked that thing,” Kelly said. “Every time he steps to the plate, he’s in scoring position and finding ways. He’s been getting his swing off, he did later on in the game too on a big cut and just looking for him to dial it in as far as his approach and he’s doing a good job of that. He’s staying on pitches and he got a hold of that one.”

Speaking of the Royals, they acquired outfielder Randal Grichuk from the Diamondbacks during the game. Grichuk was removed midway through the fifth inning and replaced by Jorge Barrosa, with Corbin Carroll switching from center to right field.

The Diamondbacks got back-to-back, two-out singles from Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Suarez in the sixth before Yohan Ramirez got Barrosa looking at a curveball for a called third strike to end the frame.

The Pirates stranded runners in scoring position in the fourth and seventh innings. In the fourth, Pham hit a leadoff singled and advanced to third on Joey Bart’s book-rule double down the right-field line but Liover Peguero grounded out to short to end the inning. In the seventh, Bart drew a one-out walk and reached third when Isiah Kiner-Falefa grounded into a forceout that put runners on the corners, only for Spencer Horwitz to go down swinging.

After Ferguson and Santana kept the Diamondbacks from scoring in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively, the Pirates turned to Bednar.

“I think it’s cool for somebody to do it in their hometown, you know?” Heaney said. “Somebody that’s so connected to the city, connected to the team, other than just being a player on the team. It means a little bit more to him.”

Bednar got Suarez swinging at three consecutive curveball to start the ninth. Barrossa hit a sharp line drive to left that Pham chased down to catch in the corner for the second out. Bednar wanted to punctuate it with a punchout, and got pinch-hitter Adrian Del Castillo to chase a 2-2 curveball to end the game.

“That was the goal, trying to end on a ticket,” Bednar said. “I was happy to seal the deal, get the win and that was a good way to finish.”