2 Singles for Raines; Expos Win

There aren’t many races left in baseball this season, but Tim Raines is in one of them.

Raines drove in two runs with a pair of singles Monday, leading the Montreal Expos to a 5-2 victory and keeping him just behind Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres in the National League batting race.

“All you can do is go out and get your hits and hope they don’t get theirs,” said Raines. “If you bat .330 and don’t win the batting title, it’s not your fault. Leading the league in percentage points doesn’t make you a different ball player.”

A contender for the title with Gwynn and Steve Sax of Los Angeles, Raines maintained his .330 average by going 2 for 5.

Raines, who singled in runs in the fifth and seventh, combined with Andre Dawson, who homered, and Floyd Youmans, who pitched a four-hitter through 8 innings, to end the Cubs’ three-game winning streak.

“I’ve always hit well here,” said Dawson, who also had a single and a double and scored two runs.

The 32-year-old outfielder, who becomes a free agent at the end of the season, hinted that his preference for the National League, grass fields and playing day games would make the Cubs a nice choice for him.

Youmans, who departed in the ninth inning, was disappointed he didn’t finish.

“I’m glad to get a win, I’ve been struggling lately for a win,” said Youmans, 13-10. “I was hit hard in my last start so it was important for me to come back and get the job done.”

Youmans pitched a four-hitter through 8 innings before Jeff Reardon pitched the final two outs for his 35th save.

Youmans allowed two unearned runs striking out eight and walking three. The loss went to Dennis Eckersley, 6-11.

Dawson broke a 1-1 tie with his 19th homer in the fourth inning.

The Cubs took the lead in the first inning. Rafael Palmeiro walked and Keith Moreland singled to left. Palmeiro scored when shortstop Tom Foley’s relay throw home was wild.

The Expos tied it in the third on singles by Randy Hunt and Youmans and a sacrifice fly by Casey Candaele.