David Bednar Rebounds for Yankees After Blown Save, Shows Grit Against Blue Jays

New York Yankees closer David Bednar successfully navigated a high-pressure ninth inning to secure a 7-6 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night. This crucial save came just a day after Bednar had surrendered a tying, three-run home run against the Mets, highlighting his ability to rebound quickly from adversity.

Bednar's performance was a test of nerve, particularly when he found himself behind 3-0 in the count against four-time All-Star George Springer with two runners on base. Despite the precarious situation, Bednar relied on his splitter to escape the jam and ultimately close out the game for New York.

A Gritty Escape

Entering the ninth inning with a 7-5 lead, Bednar quickly faced trouble. He walked Ernie Clement, who had been instrumental in Toronto’s earlier offense, and then allowed an RBI double to pinch-hitter Jesús Sánchez, narrowing the Yankees' lead to one run. With runners on second and third and only one out, Bednar found himself in a familiar, unwelcome position from the previous day.

The pivotal moment arrived when Bednar faced George Springer. After falling behind 3-0 with pitches outside the zone, Bednar defied expectations. Instead of a fastball, he threw three consecutive splitters, each dipping below the strike zone, prompting Springer to swing and miss, resulting in a crucial strikeout.

Trust from the Dugout

Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed confidence in Bednar, noting that he didn't feel the need for a pep talk after Sunday's blown save. Boone emphasized the maturity of his players, stating, "We got a lot of grown-ups in that room and I trust they know how to handle the highs and the lows." This trust was validated by Bednar's performance, particularly his unexpected pitch selection against Springer.

Boone admitted that even he, like Springer, anticipated a fastball in the 3-0 count. The decision to throw the splitter in such a critical moment was a testament to Bednar's composure and strategic thinking, a move that reportedly boosted the confidence of his teammates.

Battle with Blue Jays' Sluggers

Following the Springer strikeout, Bednar still had to contend with five-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. After a full count, Guerrero Jr. hit a hanging splitter to second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., who completed the throw to first for the game-ending out. Bednar threw 36 pitches in the inning, bringing his two-day total to 59 and 80 over four days, signaling a heavy workload. Pitching coach Matt Blake visited the mound during the inning, and Boone had decided that Guerrero Jr. would likely be Bednar's last batter.

Bednar himself acknowledged the challenge, stating, "It’s digging deep, getting a little gritty and finding a way. Just find a way. There’s a way out of every situation." He reflected on the outing, admitting it "wasn’t pretty tonight, and there’s definitely plenty of things to work on but at the end of the day it's: Did I get it done or not?"

Impact of the Win

This victory is significant for the Yankees, allowing them to bounce back from a disappointing 2-7 road trip that concluded with Sunday's extra-innings loss to the Mets. The team had rallied from 3-1 and 5-3 deficits earlier in the game against Toronto, powered by two-run homers from Cody Bellinger and Jazz Chisholm Jr. The resilience shown by Bednar, and the team as a whole, provides a much-needed boost as they look to regain momentum.

Datos clave

This win demonstrates the Yankees' ability to overcome recent setbacks and underscores Bednar's mental toughness, a quality essential for any high-leverage reliever in Major League Baseball. For NationalSportsWeb readers, this highlights the dramatic nature of MLB games and the psychological resilience required at the sport's highest level.

Fuente: Yahoo Sports (https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/day-blown-save-yanks-bednar-043723782.html)