NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Expos, Martinez Overcome First-Pitch Homer

Dennis Martinez figured it was not his night after his first pitch.

The Montreal right-hander gave up Ron Gant’s 11th homer of the season leading off the Atlanta first, but Martinez (8-4) scattered only five other hits in seven innings Monday night to lead the Expos to a 7-1 victory. Scott Ruskin picked up his third save, getting the last four outs.

Dave Martinez had three hits, including a solo home run, and Tim Wallach hit a two-run homer to pace the Expos’ offense.

“I thought it was going to be a long night after Gant hit the first pitch for a home run and then I walked Jeff Treadway,” Dennis Martinez said. “But then I got my second wind.”

The Expos tied the score 1-1 in the third on a sacrifice fly by Ivan Calderon off John Smoltz (2-7) and scored twice in a bizarre fourth inning on a wild pitch and bases-loaded walk to Delino DeShields.

DeShields, who had two singles earlier, was ejected by home plate umpire Terry Tata after flinging his bat about 60 feet and striking the stands near the Expo dugout after drawing the walk.

“I didn’t mean for it to go that far,” said DeShields of his bat-throwing. He admitted he was upset with a called strike earlier during his at-bat.

“I feel like the umpires are treating me unfair. It’s just been building up, but I didn’t mean for the bat to go that far,” said DeShields, who added he never said a word to Tata.

“He (DeShields) usually doesn’t complain about calls,” Atlanta catcher Greg Olson said. “He was upset at the strike call, but when he walked, he didn’t say anything. I don’t think he meant to throw it (the bat) that far.”

Dave Martinez opened the fourth with a single, took third on another single by Ron Hassey and scored on a wild pitch as Larry Walker walked.

Tim Foley then singled to load the bases before Dennis Martinez struck out, bringing up DeShields, who walked on a 3-2 pitch, forcing in Hassey for a 3-1 lead.

Dave Martinez hit his second homer of the season to give the Expos a 4-1 lead in the eighth. Wallach added a two-run homer in the ninth, his fifth.