Pirates closer David Bednar shines as USA beats Great Britain in World Baseball Classic

Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star closer David Bednar put the finishing touches on Team USA’s opening game in the World Baseball Classic, and did so in emphatic fashion.

Bednar struck out three of the four batters he faced in the ninth inning to seal a 6-2 win over Great Britain in Pool C play Saturday night at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Pirates All-Star closer David Bednar on the honor of playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. pic.twitter.com/JoyNxd618x

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) March 5, 2023

The Mars alum relied on a steady feed of four-seam fastballs while mixing three curveballs and a splitter in throwing 13 of his 18 pitches for strikes. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound right-hander started by getting Pirates teammate Chavez Young looking at a called third strike on a 1-2 fastball. After giving up a single to Nick Ward, who hit 19 home runs for the Washington Wild Things last season, Bednar struck out Darnell Sweeney and D’Shawn Knowles to end the game.

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David Bednar shuts the door on Great Britain to secure the victory! pic.twitter.com/d16GbFLBRH

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 12, 2023

Team USA got big games from third baseman Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals, who hit a pair of RBI doubles, and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies, who hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning. Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright allowed one run on five hits, including a Trayce Thompson homer, and one walk while striking out four in four innings to get the win.

Team USA plays Mexico at 10 p.m. Sunday.

In other WBC action involving Pirates players:

Reliever Duane Underwood Jr. made his WBC debut by tossing a scoreless seventh inning with a strikeout for Puerto Rico in its 9-1 win Saturday over Nicaragua.

Infielder Tsung-Che Cheng went 1 for 3 with an RBI, run scored and a walk in Chinese Taipei’s 9-5 win over the Netherlands. Cheng is hitting .417 (5 for 12) with a triple, three RBIs and two walks in three WBC games.

Outfielder Chavez Young went 1-for-4 with a single off left-hander Kyle Freeland for Great Britain in the 6-2 loss to the USA.

Reliever Antwone Kelly made his WBC debut Saturday and threw a scoreless seventh inning Saturday in the Netherlands’ 9-5 loss to Chinese Taipei.

Oufielder Josh Palacios went 0 for 3 Saturday in the Netherlands’ 9-5 loss to Chinese Taipei. Palacios has recorded an RBI and a stolen base in three WBC games.