Northern Expos-ure

Expos 8, Astros 3
Clay Kirby vs Joe Niekro
The bats came alive today for the Expos in the pitcher's paradise know as the Astrodome.  Joe Niekro's knuckler did everything but find the strike zone in the top of the first.  As a result Montreal netted 3 runs.  Niekro's antics included 4 walks and a wild pitch sandwiched around an error by Enos Cabel at 3rd and a past ball charged to Ed Herrmann, who after catching Wilbur Wood for years in Chicago should have been used to the knuckler.  Clay Kirby was on cruise control until the bottom of the 5th when with 2 outs he fell apart.  After walking Herrmann and fanning the next two Kirby would be victimized by back to back singles by Cabell and Rob Andrews, which made it 3-1.  A pair of wild pitches would score Cabell and end Kirby's day 1 out short of qualifying for win.  Chip Lang would be called on for long relief and turn in a stellar performance that just might earn him a spot in the rotation someday.  Lang would go 4 1/3 innings to finish out the game and allow just 1 unearned run in the bottom of the 8th.  Montreal would explode for 4 in the top of the 6th to make Lang's day easier.  With the bases loaded Jerry White walked to make it 4-2.  Mike Jorgensen would slam a ball off the left center wall to clear the bases and make it 7-2.  Barry Foote's double in the 8th would make it 8-2.  Niekro would never make it out of the 6th and was charged with 6 earned runs (7 total) on the day.  Jorgensen would be th the hitting star, going 3 for 4 with 3 RBI's.  Barry Foote would have 3 hits as well as the Expos moved to double digits in wins for the season.