Adam Ulrey's Montreal Expos Diary

August 15, 2002 - Game 120
Green saves the day for Dodgers with his arm

The Los Angeles Dodgers pushed the margin of victory to its absolute limit. Right fielder Shawn Green, who is usually winning games with his bat, used his arm to throw out the potential tying run at home plate to end the game; LA won 1-0 over the Expos.

"We have virtually no room for error and tonight it went down to the last play," Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. "We either get the throw that strong and on the line like it was, or the game is tied, the runner's on second, and they're a base hit from beating us 2-1."

Omar Daal did the job for the Dodgers pitching a beautiful game going seven innings giving up just four hits to win his 10th game and lowered his ERA to 3.72. Eric Gagne saved his 41st game after getting Green to save him. With two-outs in the ninth inning and pinch-runner Henry Mateo on second base, Jose Vidro singled to right field. Third-base coach Manny Acta waved Mateo home, but Green made a strong one-hop throw and Paul Lo Duca blocked the plate and tagged Mateo out.

"It was a good throw, there's no doubt about it," Expos manager Frank Robinson said. "You give Green credit, and give Lo Duca credit for blocking Henry off the plate."

Javier Vasquez deserved better, but his team just couldn't push a run across for his. He went 7 innings giving up just six hits and one run, while striking out five. He lowered his ERA to 3.77, but saw his record drop to 8-9 on the year. The Expos had seven hits, but left 10 men on base. The Dodgers scored their only run on Dave Roberts RBI groundout in the third inning against Vazquez. Vazquez remained winless in his last four starts despite allowing the one run. Vladimir Guerrero saw his 14-game hitting streak come to an end with his 0-for-3 night. The Expos are just 7-15 against NL West opponents this season. With the loss the Expos now find themselves two games under .500 at 59-61.