National League Roundup : Dunston’s Homer in 13th Leads Cubs Over Expos, 7-6

Maybe things are finally starting to go right for the Chicago Cubs.

The Cubs blew a lead in the eighth inning Thursday at Montreal, but ultimately prevailed over the Expos, 7-6, in 13 innings on Shawon Dunston’s solo homer.

Dunston’s homer, the third of the game for the Cubs, came off reliever Jeff Reardon (1-1), and made a winner of reliever Lee Smith (1-2).

“No matter how long the game goes, you’ve got to keep concentrating on the game,” said Dunston. “You’ve got to go out there and keep playing. You never know who’s going to win in a long game like that. The last run is the most important run.”

“Finally we’re back on the right track,” added Cub Manager Jim Frey. “We have to keep going. I didn’t even think Dunston’s ball would get over the fence. But we won.”

Montreal tied the score at 6-6 in the eighth inning on a leadoff homer by rookie Andres Galarraga, his second of the season.

Expos’ starter Floyd Youmans got himself in trouble when he loaded the bases on three walks in the opening inning. Leon Durham’s sacrifice fly to left gave Chicago a 1-0 lead.

The Cubs hit a pair of homers in the third to take a 4-0 lead. Sandberg hit an inside-the-park homer and, after a single by Moreland, Durham belted another homer.

The Expos got a run in the bottom of the third when pitcher Dan Schatzeder, pinch-hitting for Youmans, singled and scored when Andre Dawson bounced into a bases-loaded double play.

RBI singles in the fourth by Sandberg and Moreland gave the Cubs’ a 6-1 lead.

Montreal scored three times in the fifth. Two of the runs came on bases-empty home runs by Dawson and Hubie Brooks.