A Simple Story About a Baseball Pitcher Named Bednar

What Happened in the Game

Let’s imagine a baseball game that was tied (both teams had the same score). Here is what a player named Bednar did:

• Another pitcher named Fernando Cruz was playing, but Bednar came in to replace him.
• There were two runners (players from the other team) already on the bases when Bednar came in.
• The game was tied in the eighth part of the game (called the eighth inning).
• Bednar did a good job and did not let those two runners score.
• After that, a teammate named Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a home run (a big hit that lets him run around and score), and their team went ahead.

What Bednar Did in the Ninth Inning

In the very last part of the game (the ninth inning):

1. Bednar walked a player named Freddie Freeman. This means he threw 10 pitches and Freeman got to go to first base without hitting the ball.
2. After that, Bednar got the next three players out in a row.
3. This means the other team could not score, and Bednar’s team won.

Bednar’s Month So Far

• This win was Bednar’s second win this month.
• He also got two saves this month (a save means a pitcher finished the game and kept the lead safe).
• He had to throw 32 pitches in this game, which is a lot of throwing.

Important Point: Bednar had a whole week off before this game. Because he rested, he might be ready to play again on Monday even though he threw many pitches.

Summary

Bednar came into a tied game, kept two runners from scoring, and his team took the lead. In the last inning, he let one player on base but then got three outs to win. This was his second win and second save this month. He threw 32 pitches but had rested for a week, so he may play again Monday.

FAQ

Q: What does “relieved” a pitcher mean?
A: It means one pitcher stops playing and another pitcher takes their place.

Q: What is a “tie game”?
A: It means both teams have the exact same score.

Q: What is a “save” in baseball?
A: It is when a pitcher finishes the game and makes sure their team’s lead is not lost.

Q: Why might Bednar play again on Monday?
A: Because he had a week of rest before this game, so his arm is probably not too tired.