Adam Ulrey's Montreal Expos Diary

July 23, 2002 - Game 100
Piazza and Vaughn play long ball, Mets beat Expos 4-3 

With Mike Piazza and Mo Vaughn finally clicking at the same time, the New York Mets are fighting their way back into contention. Piazza and Vaughn each hit two-run jacks, and Jeff D'Amico won for the first time in nearly two months as New York beat the Montreal Expos 4-3 Tuesday night.

It took 79 games for the sluggers to homer in the same game. But they've both connected four times in the last 22 games, as the Mets have moved into the thick of the wild-card race.

The Expos though are on the opposite end, having lost their fifth straight game, but more importantly watched All-Star right fielder Vladimir Guerrero leave with a bruised left knee after crashing into the wall to rob Jeromy Burnitz of an extra-base hit. Guerrero's catch was about the only highlight of the game for the Expos, as they continue to struggle for runs. Less than two-weeks ago it looked like they might challenge for a wild-card spot, but now they find themselves struggling to remain .500.

The Expos are only 3-10 since acquiring Cliff Floyd, who hasn't helped any batting just .200 with only two RBIs. Fernando Tatis and Brian Schneider tried to get the Expos back into the game by combining for three RBIs in the last two innings, but they came up a little short. Bartolo Colon went six innings, giving up five hits and four runs, in notching his first loss as a member of the Expos. D'Amico won only his fifth against eight losses and saw his ERA drop to 4.85 on the year. Armando Benitez picked up his 25th save of the year. Expos All-Star 2B Jose Vidro missed his second straight game with a stiff back.