JUPITER, Fla. (AP) _ Carl Pavano is finally healthy and doing what the Montreal Expos have been expecting from their young pitcher.

Pavano, after two injury shortened seasons, pitched four strong innings Sunday as the Montreal Expos beat the New York Mets 9-3.

``I was a little too strong in the beginning and a little weak in the end,'' said Pavano, who was 6-8 with a 5.63 ERA last year before tendinitis cut his season short just after the All-Star break. ``That's what spring training is for. I thought I established both sides of the plate well today. I still have quiet a few days before the season, but I'll be there.''

The 24-year-old Pavano gave up two runs _ one earned _ and three hits, striking out three and walking three. All the hits and runs off Pavano came in his final inning of work.

``He threw the ball really well,'' Expos manager Felipe Alou said, unconcerned that Pavano may have tired in the fourth. ``People are being stretched and inning and inning and inning, if he's getting tired when the season starts then I be concerned.''

Best known for allowing Mark McGwire's 70 home run in 1998, Pavano aided his own cause Sunday by chopping a single over Todd Zeile at first to drive in the Expos' second run of the second inning.

The Expos jumped on Mets starter Bill Pulsipher, who is battling for the No. 5 slot in New York's rotation, for four runs and six hits in three innings.

Vladimir Guerrero singled in two runs in the first. O'Brien doubled in a run in the second.

``I thought I threw the ball pretty good, I didn't walk anyone,'' Pulsipher said. ``I threw better than before, except for two pitches, the one to Vladi and the one to O'Brien.''

The Expos also scored four times off Bobby M. Jones, who is also in contention for the fifth spot.

Andy Tracy hit a two run homer, and Mickey Morandini and Patrick Lennon each doubled in a run, all off Jones in the sixth.

``We have to take everything we see, and everything we feel, under consideration and make a decision,'' Mets manager Bobby Valentine said. ``This is just more information to what goes into what our decision will be.''

Fernando Seguignol homered off Lariel Gonzalez in the seventh for Montreal.

Jay Payton hit his second home run of the season, a solo shot in the seventh for the Mets off J.D. Smart.

Notes: Expos pitcher Mike Thurman will not throw for the next 10 to 14 days after a nerve velocity conduction test on Friday showed an inflammation of the tendon, but no pinched nerve. ... Expos INF Geoff Blum, who is hitting .455 this spring, 5 for 11, underwent x-rays on his right elbow after a collision at first with the Mets Jorge Toca on Saturday. ... Garth Brooks grounded out to second to end the game, making the country singer 0-9 this spring for New York.