I first paid attention to the strangeness of Tuesday night when, in the top of the second inning, I noticed relief pitcher Jared Hughes warming up in the Pirates bullpen. Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Karstens did give up two earned runs on three hits in the first inning, but he had only pitched one inning. So, naturally, I concluded that there was something wrong with Karstens. But, not a moment later, I questioned my recent conclusion, when I saw Karstens leave the on-deck circle and head for the batter's box. He's hitting, so he must be okay, I thought.

Four pitches later, Karstens struck out swinging and headed for the visitor's dugout as that relief pitcher, Hughes, trotted in from the bullpen. So much for the duel between two Southern Californian Yankee draft picks.

And things didn't get any more normal from there.

A 35-year-old relief pitcher named Jason Grilli got the win for the Pirates -- number 21 of his 10-year career. And a 37-year-old utility man, John McDonald, hit a home run -- number 21 of his 14-year career.

And it would only be fitting on a night like Tuesday for 33-year-old Juan Cruz -- a former D-back -- to get the fourth save of his 12-year-career.

Then again, what should we have expected on a night when the Coyotes-Blackhawks game had three third-period goals scored in a matter of 65 seconds?

Some other game oddities:

• Tuesday night was the first time in Gerardo Parra's career that he has started in right field and finished the game in center field
• The Pirates' 3-4-5 hitters (Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker, and Garrett Jones) had 10 of their team's 13 hits and all five of their team's runs and RBIs
• Ian Kennedy had a bad home start
• There was a 9-6 putout (Jason Kubel to John McDonald) on a Jones' bloop single to right field

And some conventionalities:

• Chris Young got a hit and made a spectacular catch
• McCutchen went 4-for-5
• Balk-a-day-Bob (Davidson) called a balk

Today, the D-backs wrap up their three-game series with the Pirates at Chase Field. Daniel Hudson (1-0; 8.74 ERA) is on the mound for the D-backs, facing the Pirates' James McDonald (0-1; 3.86 ERA).

With Justin Upton still listed as day-to-day and Chris Young headed for the disabled list, the question of the day is a rehash of what we we were all dying to know in the offseason -- what in the world are the D-backs going to do with four outfielders?