The Montreal Gazette
April 2, 2024
By Chris Davenport
Baseball Returns to Montreal as Expos Fall to Pirates in Home Opener
MONTREAL – After more than two decades, baseball is officially back in Montreal. A crowd of 35,320 filled Olympic Stadium on Monday afternoon, welcoming the Expos home in an atmosphere filled with excitement, nostalgia, and renewed hope. While the result wasn’t what the fans had hoped for, a 9-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the energy in the building made one thing clear: Montreal is once again a baseball city.
The Expos entered the game with a last-minute roster adjustment, as outfielder Stone Garrett was activated from the injured list after recovering from a previous injury. To make room, first baseman Dermis Garcia was optioned back to Triple-A Rochester. Garrett, known for his power potential, was immediately available off the bench, adding another layer of excitement to an already emotional day for the franchise. Garrett himself acknowledged the significance of the moment, saying, "I've been waiting for this day, to step back on the field and contribute. Seeing the energy from the fans, it just fuels you even more."
Though the stadium's 46,500-seat capacity wasn’t fully reached, the attendance remained strong for a weekday afternoon game, as many fans took time off work or school to witness history. The expectation is that upcoming evening and weekend games will see even larger crowds as momentum builds.
"Even when the score got away from us, they kept cheering," said Victor Robles, who stole a base and scored a run in the loss. "It’s special to have baseball back in Montreal."
Fast Start, Tough Finish
The Expos jumped out to an early lead, giving the home crowd plenty to cheer for. Juan Yepez delivered the first big moment of the night, launching a three-run homer in the first inning off Martin Perez to give Montreal a 3-1 lead.
"That moment was incredible," Yepez said. "The crowd was electric, and we wanted to start strong for them."
However, Pittsburgh responded quickly. Edward Olivares had a monster night, going 4-for-5 with a home run and three singles, leading a Pirates offense that collected 12 hits. His two-run homer in the third inning off Joan Adon flipped the momentum, giving the Pirates a 4-3 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Adon, making his first home start, struggled after a solid first two innings, finishing with 3.2 innings pitched, allowing six runs on six hits, including two home runs.
"I felt good early, but they adjusted, and I didn’t make my best pitches when I needed to," Adon admitted. "I have to be better next time."
Pirates Pull Away
The game remained within reach until the seventh inning, when Henry Davis crushed a three-run home run off reliever Matt Barnes, extending Pittsburgh’s lead to 9-3. The Expos offense, after its early success, struggled to string together hits against the Pirates’ bullpen.
"It wasn’t the result we wanted, but I liked the energy early on," said manager Dave Martinez. "We’re building something here, and the fight is there."
Despite the loss, the night was about more than just the scoreboard. Fans waved Expos flags, chanted throughout the game, and celebrated the long-awaited return of their team. The excitement surrounding the franchise’s rebirth was evident, even as fans filed out after the final out.
"The atmosphere was amazing," Yepez added. "This is just the beginning."
Montreal will look to bounce back in Game 2 of the series on Wednesday night, with Josiah Gray set to take the mound as the Expos continue their first homestand of the new era.