The Montreal Gazette
April 8, 2024
By Chris Davenport
Expos Show Resilience, Avoid Sweep Against Phillies
MONTREAL – The Montreal Expos wrapped up their three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies with a hard-fought 3-2 victory on Sunday, avoiding a sweep at Olympic Stadium. After dropping the first two games of the series, the Expos rebounded behind a stellar performance from Joan Adon, securing their third win of the season and providing a much-needed morale boost before continuing their homestand.
Game 1: Late Push Falls Short in 4-3 Loss
Friday’s series opener was a tightly contested battle, but the Expos came up just short in a 4-3 defeat. Despite home runs from Joey Gallo and CJ Abrams, the Expos couldn’t overcome the Phillies' late offensive surge.
The turning point came in the seventh inning, when J.T. Realmuto’s double off Joe LaSorsa helped the Phillies push across two runs, breaking a 1-1 tie. Bryce Harper added an insurance run with a solo home run in the eighth, and though the Expos rallied late with a run in the ninth, it wasn’t enough.
“We had our chances,” manager Dave Martinez admitted after the game. “We put together good at-bats, but they got the timely hits when they needed them.”
Game 2: Expos Bats Go Silent in 5-0 Shutout
Saturday’s contest was a frustrating one for Montreal, as Kyle Schwarber and the Phillies’ pitching staff dominated in a 5-0 shutout. Schwarber went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs, while the Expos offense managed just six hits and struck out 11 times.
Rookie DJ Herz made his second start for Montreal but struggled, allowing three earned runs in 4.1 innings. Jordan Weems, who had just been promoted to the big leagues following Joe LaSorsa’s demotion to Triple-A Rochester, surrendered a solo home run to Schwarber in the fifth.
“The stuff was there, but I made a couple of mistakes, and at this level, you pay for them,” Herz said postgame. “I’ll learn from it.”
Game 3: Adon’s Gem Helps Expos Salvage the Series
Facing the possibility of a sweep, the Expos responded with a gritty 3-2 win on Sunday. Joan Adon delivered his best outing of the young season, tossing seven innings of two-hit ball while striking out seven. The only blemish on his performance was a third-inning solo homer by Elehuris Montero.
Montreal’s offense came through in key moments, with Jesse Winker delivering the go-ahead RBI single in the fifth and Luis García adding an RBI double in the second.
“This was a test for us,” Winker said after the game. “We had to respond, and I think we did that today.”
Closer Hunter Harvey slammed the door in the ninth, recording his second save of the season to preserve the victory.
Roster Moves and Looking Ahead
Following the series, the Expos continued to make adjustments to their roster. On Monday, the team optioned catcher Riley Adams to Rochester while calling up Drew Millas to take his spot behind the plate. Adams had struggled offensively, going just 1-for-10 in limited action this season.
“We need to get Riley regular at-bats, and he’ll get that in Rochester,” said Martinez. “Drew’s been swinging the bat well, and we want to see what he can bring at this level.”
With the series behind them, the Expos now turn their attention to their next series on the road against the San Francisco Giants. While the early results have been mixed, Sunday’s win showed that this team has no intention of backing down.
“We know what kind of season this is going to be,” Martinez said. “But every game is a chance to compete, to improve, and to find out what we have. That’s what we’re focused on.”