Le Expos take 2 of 3 from Redbirds

8/18-8/20 - Jarry Parc
GAME 1 - Cardinals 11, Expos 4
Larry Jackson vs Steve Renko
Renko made his first start of the year and judging by his performance he just might not get too many more.  7 runs in 8 innings of work just won't get it done.  The only positive is that he at least ate up innings.  Things went downhill quickly for Montreal after Andre Dawson's first inning RBI single.  Stan Musial's 2 out RBI single in the 3rd was followed up with Ken Boyer's two run double to quickly put St. Louis up 3-1. Eight runs over the final 3 innings sealed the deal.  Ted Simmons led the Cardinal offense with a 3 for 4 day including a 3 run blast and 4 RBI's total.

GAME 2 - Expos 9, Cardinals 2
Hal Brecheen vs Steve Rogers
Brecheen had "Renko-like" day for the Cards.  The only difference was his suffering ended before the 5th inning came to a close.  Steve Rogers, who had a rocky start to the season, rebounded nicely to go the distance and only give up 2 runs.  St. Louis, like Montreal the day before, had a 1 run lead until the expos exploded for 9 runs over the middle 3 innings.  Homers by Gary Carter and Larry Parrish rocked Brecheen's world and led to his early departure.  Carter would have 4 RBI's on day.  Rogers himself would go 2 for 4 at the plate to boost his season average to .375, wich is sadly still lower than his ERA (5.04).

GAME 3 - Expos 12, Cardinals 6
Bob Forsch vs Bryn Smith
Today was not a day for the "arms".  Forsch hit the showers after getting lit up for 7 runs in 2 innings, including a 5 run first where the Expos batted around.  Smith wasn't exactly Cy Young, giving up 5 earned runs in 6 1/3 innings.  The day belonged to the lumber.  In a losing effor the Cardinals featured two guys with 3 hit games (Brock/Simmons).  Lou Brock was a homer away from hitting for the cycle.  Brocks opposite number, Tim Raines was off the charts good going 5 for 5 and scoring 4 runs.  When "the Rock" wasn't getting hits he was distracting pitchers with the threat of stealing second.  This helped number two hitter Delino DeShields go 3 for 4 and #3 guy Andre Dawson go 2 for 3.  Montreal rang up 15 hits in total as they doubled up the Cards 12-6.