The Latest Breaking News from David Bednar

The increased number of paying customers who walked through the PNC Park gates on Tuesday wearing navy blue, red and gray was plenty obvious when the Yankees took the field and former Pirate Jameson Taillon warmed up to his longtime entrance song — "When the Levee Breaks," by Led Zeppelin,…

WASHINGTON — This road trip has been nothing short of brutal for the Pirates. A 10-inning loss at Tropicana Field on Friday. Then blowing a 5-3 lead and watching the Tampa Bay Rays walk it off against David Bednar a day later.

PITTSBURGH — Daniel Vogelbach finished his swing, dropped his bat and stared toward the Clemente Wall in right field. The Pirates’ designated hitter found a low-and-inside fastball, and he did what many left-handed hitters do with pitches there — pulverized it. No question Vogelbach knew it was gone.

CHICAGO — The most optimistic Pirates projections never had anywhere close to what the bullpen has done.

Former Cub Jose Quintana and four relievers held the Cubs to seven hits — six of them singles — as the Cubs lost their fourth consecutive game.

PITTSBURGH — It’s only eight games into the season, but the Pirates have already enjoyed a crash course on what’s possible when you get competent pitching. And it doesn’t matter how it comes. Just keeping the other team remotely in check allows the offense to do its thing.

Breaking down relief pitchers based on their average draft position to find value and opportunity.