Biddle gets long awaited win with Pirates' defeat

xx
xxxxx
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Rocky Biddle pitched five scoreless innings to win his first start in almost two years, and Jamey Carroll drove-in two runs to help the Montreal Expos beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 Saturday night.
Biddle (1-4), making his first start since September 25, 2002, with the Chicago White Sox, gave up two hits, one walk, struck out three and did not allow a runner past first base.
The right-hander, Montreal's primary closer with 11 saves in 14 opportunities this season, took Zach Day's spot in the rotation because he was the only reliever available to start. Day is out since July 6 with right shoulder tendinits.
Claudio Vargas, Joe Horgan and Luis Ayala combined to complete the four-hitter, Montreal's seventh shutout of the season. The Pirates were shut out for the third time.
Montreal scored off Kip Wells in the seventh on a two-run double down the left-field line by Carroll, who then scored on Horgan's single --the pitcher's first career hit-- that chased Wells after 107 pitches.
The Expos also scored in the first on Tony Batista's RBI single to left.
Wells (4-6) pitched 6 2-3 innings, allowed four runs on six hits, walked three and struck out four.
Notes
Biddle's last start was a 7-2 win over Boston. ... One of Roberto Clemente's grandsons, Roberto Luis Clemente, ran the bases before the game wearing a No. 21 Pirates jersey, and saluted four Clemente teammates standing next to each base -- 1B Bob Robertson at first, P Steve Blass at second, IF Jose Pagan at third and P Nellie Briles at home. He also threw out the first pitch, caught by Expos manager Frank Robinson. ... Montreal 3B Tony Batista was 1-for-4 and has a nine-game hitting streak, after getting his 1,000th career hit on Friday. ... Montreal IF Andy Fox went 0-for-1 in a pinch-hit situation, extending his hitless streak to 30 at-bats dating back to April 28. ... Montreal CF Endy Chavez made a diving catch on Tike Redman's flyball in the seventh. ... Pittsburgh 2B Bobby Hill turned a nifty doubleplay in the seventh, fielding Nick Johnson's grounder on his knees, and throwing sideways to SS Jack Wilson, who relayed to first. ... Pirates RF Craig Wilson was hit by a pitch in the second, the major league leading 17th time he's been plunked this year, and his teammate Jack Wilson was hit by a pitch in the first. The Pirates lead the majors in that category, with 54 batters getting hit by pitches. ... Pittsburgh extended its season-high streak to 91 consecutive innings and 10 straight games without making an error.
PITTSBURGHMONTREAL
abrhbiabrhbi
Kendall c4010Wlkrsn lf3100
JWilsn ss3000EChvez cf3000
Mckwk 3b4010TBtsta 3b4011
CWilsn rf3010CEvrtt rf3020
Bay lf3000JRivra rf1010
TRdmn cf3010NJhnsn 1b4000
Simon 1b3000OCbera ss3110
Hill 2b2000Schndr c2100
KWells p1000Carroll 2b3112
Gnzalez p0000Biddle p1000
ANunez ph1000AFox ph1000
Vglsng p0000Vargas p0000
Horgan p1011
Ayala p0000
Totals27040Totals29474
Pittsburgh000000000--0
Montreal10000030x--4
DP--Pittsburgh 1, Montreal 3. LOB--Pittsburgh 4, Montreal 4. 2B--JRivera (11), Carroll (5). SB--OCabrera (12). CS--TRedman (4), TBatista (3).
IPHRERBBSO
Pittsburgh
KWells L,4-66 2-364434
Gonzalez1-300001
Vogelsong110000
Montreal
Biddle W,1-4520013
Vargas1 2-310001
Horgan2-300011
Ayala1 2-310000
HBP--by Biddle (CWilson), by Biddle (JWilson). Umpires--Home, Larry Young; First, Angel Hernandez; Second, Mike Fichter; Third, Mark Wegner. T--2:24. A--8,780.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.