The Pirates beat the Giants 2-1 on July 31, 2025, for their 5th straight win, but the victory is overshadowed by the trade of closer David Bednar to the Yankees.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
What a strange, conflicting day to be a Pirates fan. On one hand, the team is red-hot, capping a sweep of the Giants with a gritty 2-1 extra-inning victory for their fifth straight win. On the other, the heart and soul of the bullpen, hometown hero David Bednar, is reportedly heading to the New York Yankees. It's a day that perfectly encapsulates the modern Pirates experience: win today, but build for a better tomorrow.
The Pirates’ pitching staff retired 25 consecutive Giants hitters spanning two games.
The news that rocked PNC Park wasn't the walk-off win, but the report that David Bednar, the two-time All-Star from Mars, PA, is being traded to the Yankees. Pending medicals, the Pirates will receive a trio of prospects in return: catchers Rafael Flores and Edgleen Pérez, and center fielder Brian Sanchez. After a tough 2024, Bednar returned to elite form this season, making him one of the most coveted relievers on the market. While it stings to lose a player who embodied Pittsburgh grit, the trade nets the organization much-needed potential impact bats to complement its growing stable of young arms. It's a calculated, future-focused move, but that doesn't make saying goodbye to 'The Renegade' any easier.
While the trade dominated headlines, the product on the field was spectacular. The Pirates walked off the Giants in the 10th inning, with Henry Davis driving in the winning run on a fielder's choice to complete the sweep. But the real story was the pitching. Starter Mike Burrows was brilliant, going six innings and allowing just one run while striking out seven. The bullpen then slammed the door, with Isaac Mattson earning the win after two scoreless, high-leverage innings. Incredibly, the staff's performance was part of a stretch where they retired 25 consecutive Giants batters, a streak that spanned from Wednesday's game into Thursday's contest. It’s that kind of dominance that has fueled this five-game winning streak.
As if on cue to justify the front office's strategy, the farm system had a banner day. Just as the Pirates acquired new prospects, some of their current ones put on a show. Towering first base prospect Tony Blanco Jr. launched his very first home run at the Single-A level, a significant milestone in his development. Not to be outdone, speedy outfielder Wyatt Sanford hit a thrilling inside-the-park home run for the Bradenton Marauders. On a day defined by a trade for the future, these moments serve as a potent reminder of the talent already brewing in the minor leagues.
So where do the Pirates go from here? They're playing their best baseball of the season, yet they just traded away their closer. The move puts immense pressure on the rest of the bullpen to fill the void left by Bednar. For fans, it's a day of mixed emotions—the joy of a sweep tempered by the loss of a favorite. The front office has made its bet clear: the future is the priority. Now we watch to see if the current big-league club can keep this winning streak alive without its Renegade.
