After being traded last week, former Pittsburgh Pirates stars David Bednar and Ke’Bryan Hayes both recently debuted with their new teams. However, their first appearances with their new clubs went very differently.
Hayes was dealt to the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday and made his Reds debut on Thursday against the Atlanta Braves. While Cincinnati lost 12-11 in a wild game, Hayes launched a three-run homer after managing just two homers in 100 games with the Pirates this season, making a good first impression with his new club in front of the home crowd.
The following day in Miami, ex-Pirates closer David Bednar made his New York Yankees debut against the Marlins. He had struggled in his final appearance with Pittsburgh, allowing one run on three hits in one inning against the scuffling San Francisco Giants, and that shakiness carried over into his first outing in pinstripes.
Bednar entered Friday’s game in the bottom of the seventh after Jake Bird allowed a grand slam, cutting the Yankees’ lead to 9-8 with one out. The two-time All-Star surrendered the lead before finishing the frame, yielding a game-tying homer and a go-ahead single in his first blown save of the season.
Surprisingly, Aaron Boone brought Bednar back out for the bottom of the eighth after Anthony Volpe tied the game in the top half. He pitched much better and delivered a 1-2-3 inning, keeping the score knotted at 10-10 and tying his season high in outs (five).
Story continues below advertisement
New York went on to lose the game 13-12 in the bottom of the ninth, however, spoiling Bednar’s debut. He did not pitch the rest of the weekend as the Yankees were swept.
Bailey Falter, who was also moved last week, will make his debut for the Kansas City Royals tonight against the red-hot Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
More Pirates: Ex-Pirates Closer Reveals Shocking Detail About Trade To Yankees
Story continues below advertisement
Featured image via Aaron Doster/Imagn Images