Adam Ulrey's Montreal Expos Diary

Tony Armas Jr. finally threw the way he wanted. Armas won for the first time in what seems like forever, as it's been almost a month since his last victory. With the help of a two-run homer by Troy O'Leary the Expos beat the Chicago White Sox 4-3 in their first interleague game of the year.

Armas, who had lost his last four starts, allowed just one hit in five-plus innings before leaving with a blister on his right middle finger. Five relievers finished the five-hitter, and T.J. Tucker got four outs for his third save in five opportunities. "Armas finally won a game and pitched well," Expos manager Frank Robinson said. "He got off to a rough start and fought that blister for two or three innings that I know of."

Vladimir Guerrero got his 47th RBI on the year in the fourth with a run scoring single to put the Expos up 1-0. Jose Vidro contributed three hits and his 44th RBI after his run scoring single in the sixth made it 2-0 for the Expos and then O'Leary made it 4-0 with his 2nd homer of the year. He has been blistering the ball every since he was called up from the minors. He is hitting .371 on the year with two homers and 14 RBIs, while playing a solid left field. With him in left the Expos have been able to move Brad Wilkerson to center field and the leadoff spot where he has been hitting over .300 ever since the move. It gives the Expos a better everyday lineup.

Armas Jr. is now 6-7 on the year and lowered his ERA down to 4.32. If the Expos can get some consistency out of Armas Jr. to go with both Tomo Ohka and Javier Vazquez they could stay around .500 on the year. The Expos have now evened their record at 30-30, as Robinson has done what I think is a remarkable job of keeping this team competitive. Tomorrow the Expos will send out their hottest pitcher over the last month in Ohka. On a side note the White Sox Kenny Lofton stole his 500th career base in the sixth inning.