Biddle blanks Bucs in 1st start
Making his first start in almost two years, Rocky Biddle delivered for the Expos.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Used to closing out games for Montreal, Rocky Biddle made a smooth transition to starter.
Biddle pitched five scoreless innings to win his first start in almost two years, and Jamey Carroll drove in two runs to help the Expos beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 Saturday night.
The right-hander, Montreal's closer with 11 saves in 14 opportunities this season, looked poised on the mound as he gave up two hits, one walk, struck out three and did not allow a runner past first base in his first start since September 25, 2002, with the Chicago White Sox.
"I tried to take the approach where I wanted to eat up some innings and keep us in the ballgame," Biddle said. "I felt I was more focused, relaxed, I didn't let anything bother me."
Only reliever available
He 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.
Biddle (1-4) felt tired after throwing 56 pitches ending the fifth, but did not rule out starting again.
"I don't know what they're going to do, but I'll take another shot at it," he said.
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.
"I was surprised, very pleasantly surprised," Expos manager Frank Robinson said. "That was just outstanding on his part, he looked poised and relaxed."
Pitcher's first career hit
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.
"For some reason we just couldn't get it going," said Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon.
Wells (4-6) pitched 62/3 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.
Montreal 3B Tony Batista was 1-for-4 and has a nine-game hitting streak, after getting his 1,000th career hit on Friday.
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.
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