Russell said he decided to play Hinske because the left-handed hitter went into the game 5-for-16 (.313) with two walks and three strikeouts in his career against Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Lohse.

Hinske also had a pinch double during the Pirates' four-run rally in the top of the ninth inning Monday that gave them a 6-4 victory in the season opener.

"That was impressive in his first at-bat of the year," Russell said. "There were obviously a lot of key at-bats in that inning, and that was as important as any of them."

The Pirates signed Hinske to a one-year, $1.5 million contract as a free agent in January after he spent last season with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Much has been made of Hinske's leadership role on a young Rays team that was a surprise American League pennant winner and his mentoring of third baseman Evan Longoria, who won the AL Rookie of the Year award. However, Russell also likes the fact Hinske is a good bench player.

"He can swing the bat and play the infield and outfield corners," Russell said. "He definitely will help us."

CARDINALS 9, PIRATES 3: Ian Snell matched a career high by allowing eight runs in five innings, six of them earned, along with nine hits, two home runs, three walks and two wild pitches to take the loss. Snell also gave up eight runs in his first major league start on Sept. 29, 2004, at Philadelphia. Freddy Sanchez provided the Pirates' lone highlight with a two-run home run in the sixth after they already had fallen behind 9-1.