Expos Get Unexpected Help From Schatzeder to Beat Cubs in 11, 4-3

Dan Schatzeder thinks his reputation as a hitting pitcher is blown out of proportion, but he used it to good advantage Monday.

With two outs in the 11th inning, Schatzeder drew a walk off Lee Smith, 4-6, took third on a single by Tim Raines and scored on a single by Mitch Webster as the Montreal Expos defeated the Chicago Cubs 4-3.

“It was strange, I didn’t expect that,” said Schatzeder. “I just wanted to get the Cubs out and figured we might have a suspended game because it was getting dark.

“All of a sudden I got a walk and there were two base hits and we won the game.”

Earlier this season in Montreal, Schatzeder also drew a walk off Smith and scored in the 11th inning to defeat the Cubs.

“I have a good eye and at times I’ll take a couple of strikes before I swing at a pitch,” said Schatzeder, who has a .417 average including a home run.

“I can hit but I think my reputation is blown out of proportion,” Schatzeder added. “But pitchers seem to try harder when they pitch against pitchers who can hit.”

“It’s amazing,” said Montreal Manager Buck Rodgers, who also has used Schatzeder as a pinch hitter. “Schatzy gets more walks than the regulars. That’s the fifth time he has walked this season.”

Schatzeder, 3-1, pitched the 10th inning for the victory and Bob McClure worked the 11th for his fourth save.

The Expos took a 3-2 lead into the ninth, with Jeff Reardon on the mound trying for his 19th save, but the Cubs tied it with a leadoff single by Thad Bosley, a sacrifice by Jody Davis and an RBI single by Jerry Mumphrey.

The Cubs held a 2-1 lead when Hubie Brooks, who had three hits, doubled to open the seventh and went to third on Tim Wallach’s looping double to right.

After a walk to Andres Galarraga, Brooks scored when Vance Law grounded out. Mike Fitzgerald’s walk loaded the bases again and Wallach scored the lead run as pinch-hitter Wayne Krenchicki grounded out.

Montreal starter Bryn Smith allowed only three hits before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the seventh. Chicago starter Steve Trout was relieved by Dave Gumpert after Fitzgerald walked.

The Cubs took a 2-0 lead in the second inning when Keith Moreland singled and Davis hit his 10th homer.

Brooks opened the Montreal fifth with a single, went to third on a double by Wallach and scored on a wild pitch by Trout. Brooks also doubled in the eighth.