Expos Can’t Brave Smoltz in Drive for Playoffs

Thanks to John Smoltz, the Montreal Expos’ playoff hopes went from slim to slimmer.

Smoltz set an Atlanta record with his 24th win as the Braves dealt a blow to the Expos’ playoff chances with a 6-4 victory Friday night at Montreal.

“It’s do or die for us now,” Expo catcher Lenny Webster said. “It’s a must-win situation for us now. We’ve got to hope San Diego gets swept or loses a game.

“We haven’t quit yet. We’re going to play the rest of the season out. After 162 games, that’s when we’ll take our hats off.”

With Montreal’s loss, the Dodgers clinched a spot in the playoffs, either as the NL West champion or as the wild card.

San Diego, the NL wild-card leader, beat the Dodgers, 5-2, and has a two-game lead over the Expos, who have two games remaining.

“Tomorrow’s another day,” said Expo cleanup hitter Moises Alou. “Too bad we have to rely on the Dodgers now. That’s just the way it is.”

Atlanta used seven pitchers and Montreal used eight, combining to tie the major league record for most pitchers in the nine-inning game, set on Sept. 7, 1993, by St. Louis (eight) and Cincinnati (seven).

Florida 3, Houston 2--Rookie Mark Hutton gave up three hits in eight innings and hit his first major-league home run as the Marlins won at Houston.

Hutton (5-1) struck out six and walked one as Florida beat Houston for the seventh consecutive time.

St. Louis 2, Cincinnati 1--Ron Gant singled home Luis Alicea with two out in the 11th at St. Louis as the Cardinals won their fourth in a row.

St. Louis Manager Tony La Russa kept most of his regulars in the lineup to keep them sharp for the playoffs.

However, the Cardinals managed only five hits over the first nine innings against John Smiley, who beat them with a one-hitter on Sunday.

They broke through in the 11th against Jeff Shaw (8-6).

Philadelphia 6, New York 5--Ruben Amaro’s run-scoring double capped a three-run eighth for the Phillies at New York.

Desi Relaford sacrificed two runners into scoring position in the eighth before first baseman Butch Huskey misplayed Dave Doster’s grounder, allowing Stocker to score and tie the score.

Pirates 7-9 Cubs 4-10--Jose Hernandez scored from second base on a wild pitch and throwing error with two out in the ninth as the Cubs won the second game at Chicago.

Pittsburgh won the opener in 10 innings.