Bad strategy leads to loss

I haven't seen many tactical mistakes from new Pirates' manager John Russell this early in his tenure, but I did during Thursday's 3-2 loss to Washington.

The game was scoreless in the second when Washington put runners on second and third with one out. Russell pulled the infield in with Wil Nieves, the Nationals' No. 8 hitter at the plate.

If the Pirates play back, they allow only one run in the inning as Nieves hit a grounder to second. However, with a drawn-in infield, the ball got past Freddy Sanchez and into right field for a two-run single.

There was no need to bring the infield in that early in the game. It will be interesting to hear Russell's postgame comments as to why he pulled the infield in but the look on his face afterward looked like a man who realized he clearly made a mistake.