Adam Ulrey's Montreal Expos Diary

August 22, 2002 - Game 127
Payton leads the Rockies past the Expos 14-6

Jay Payton is starting to feel right at home in the high altitude of Colorado. Payton homered and had a career-high five RBIs, and Todd Ziele did his part with his 15th homer and three RBIs to lead the Rockies past the Expos 14-6 to take two of the three games. Payton has made an impression on his new teammates in his three weeks with the club. He went 4-for-5 with a triple and three runs scored. Since joining the Rockies he is hitting .408 with four homers and 15 RBIs in just 71 at-bats. Brent Butler added three RBIs and Todd Helton hit his 22nd homer a two-run shot. Denny Stark got his ninth win against just three losses going five innings to improve to 7-1 at Coors Field.

Vladimir Guerrero was one of the few bright spots for the Expos, with his 35th homer to move into third place on the all-time Expos list with 205. Jose Vidro added his 17th homer after going 2-for-5 with his 75th RBI.

Tony Armas Jr. was making his first start since coming off of the DL and it didn't go well at all. He lasted only 1 1/3 innings, his shortest outing of his career. He gave up seven hits and eight runs to watch his ERA soar to 4.90 and his record drop to 8-12.

The Expos took the quick 3-0 lead in the first inning, but then the Rockies came roaring back, scoring three in the first and five more in the second to put this game away. The loss dropped the Expos back under .500 again at 63-64.