Though the news Monday was infielder David Freese signing a contract extension, there was another note across the diamond. Rookie Josh Bell started at first base for the second game in a row, putting on the line a .500 career batting average and a fielding percentage still a perfect 1.000.
Manager Clint Hurdle said the Pirates brought Bell to the big leagues planning to keep him engaged in games, not to use him exclusively off the bench. The organization, Hurdle added, did not want to go into the offseason still wondering what Bell can bring to the table in the majors.