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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
ATLANTA (AP) -- Jose Vidro doesn't want the Expos to put too much
stock in winning three of four games at Turner Field.
"We still think we need to put a big charge in there," Vidro
said Thursday after going 3-for-5 in Montreal's 4-2 victory over
the Atlanta Braves. "It will be tough. It's a long season."
|  | | Expos pitcher Mike Johnson delivers during the first inning Thursday. Johnson earned the victory, working five innings and allowing only two hits and no runs. |
Vidro drove in the game's first run with single in the third
inning, and Vladimir Guerrero staked the Expos to a 4-0 lead with a
three-run homer in the fifth.
The success in the series at Atlanta pulled Montreal within
seven games of the first-place Braves in the NL East. Atlanta, which has lost six of its last 10 games, saw its lead over the idle New York Mets drop to 1½ games.
Mike Johnson (4-3) pitched five innings, giving up two hits and
two walks and striking out four. In his first two career starts
against the Braves, Johnson was 0-1 with a 12.60 ERA.
"It's a real nice win," Johnson said. "Plus, it shows what
we're capable of as a ballclub. We weren't in real good shape
coming in here after getting swept at home by the Marlins."
Steve Kline entered with two outs in the ninth and gave up an
RBI single to Andres Galarraga before getting Quilvio Veras to
ground out for his 11th save in 12 opportunities.
Facing John Burkett (6-4) with one out in the fifth, Guerrero
ripped his 23rd homer into the left-field seats.
"I tried to throw him slow stuff," Burkett said. "I thought
it was a fly ball when he first hit it, but he got enough power on
it to get it out."
Burkett gave up 10 hits and one walk in five innings. He struck
out seven.
Guerrero boosted his average this season against Atlanta to .500
(12-for-24) with two homers and nine RBIs.
Vidro's single drove in Peter Bergeron from second for a 1-0
lead in the third. Vidro entered as the NL leader in hits (115) and
multi-hit games (36). He improved to .500 (13-for-26) against the
Braves this year.
"When things are going your way, you seem to get a lot of cheap
hits," Vidro said. "You can't really explain it."
Atlanta scored both of its runs with two outs in the ninth.
Reggie Sanders doubled, and scored on Walt Weiss' double. Galarraga
then drove in Weiss with his pinch-hit single.
"We are the Braves and we always try to do it at the last
minute," Sanders said. "We weren't able to do it today."
Game notes
Montreal assistant GM Larry Beinfest said closer Ugueth
Urbina underwent successful arthroscopic surgery Thursday in
Birmingham, Ala. Urbina, who had bone chips removed from his right
elbow, is expected to make a full recovery in four to six months.
He will fly Sunday to Jupiter of the Class A Florida State League
to begin his rehabilitation. ... Montreal improved 4-2 against
Atlanta this year after going 4-9 in 1999, including a 2-4 mark at
Turner Field. ... Expos manager Felipe Alou was ejected with two
outs in the ninth inning after arguing a ball-three call to the
final batter, Veras.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Montreal Clubhouse
Atlanta Clubhouse
RECAPS
NY Yankees 13
Baltimore 9
Toronto 9
Cleveland 6
Boston 8
Minnesota 7
Anaheim 5
Seattle 1
Montreal 4
Atlanta 2
San Francisco 6
Colorado 5
Los Angeles 9
San Diego 3
Cincinnati 12
St. Louis 6
Arizona 2
Houston 1
Milwaukee 4
Philadelphia 2
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