Adam Ulrey's Montreal Expos Diary

July 21, 2002 - Game 98
Beckett shuts out Expos for the second straight game 4-0 

Josh Beckett had a career-high 12 strikeouts in six innings as the Florida Marlins completed a three-game sweep of the slumping Montreal Expos with a 4-0 whipping. Beckett only allowed three hits, holding the Expos to their second straight game without a run or extra base hit. Beckett (3-4) won for the first time since May 19th, and gave the Marlins their third solid pitching performance of the weekend. The Expos have lost eight of their last eleven since the All-Star break.

The hitting star was Kevin Millar who had his 8th homer and scored two runs in leading the Marlins to their third straight win after losing eight in a row. Both Derek Lee and newly acquired Juan Emcarnacion both had run-scoring singles to help led the seven-hit attack of the Marlins.

Tony Armas Jr. pitched better than he has of late, but still is walking too many hitters, as he allowed five in just six innings. He did give up just four hits and only two runs, but saw his record drop to 8-10 on the year. He had been for the most part the Expos most consistent pitcher until his last four starts, where he has been getting hammered.

Florida reliever Graeme Lloyd, who is trying to void the trade that brought him to Miami, worked a scoreless inning for the Marlins. Lloyd is awaiting an arbitrator's ruling, hopeful that his no-trade clause will allow him to return to the Expos. Expos OF Cliff Floyd, traded from Florida on July 11th, went 0-for-4 to finish 1-for-13 in the series against his former club. Beckett saw his ERA go down to 4.04 and only allowed seven base runners. Vladimir Nunez came on to pitch the last two innings to gain his 20th save on the year.

The Expos are in a real tailspin now and for the first time in almost a month they are back to being a .500 team with their 49-49 record. If they don't turn this around they will find themselves battling the Phillies for last place in the East.