Pavano Delivers for Expos

Carl Pavano is finally starting to pay dividends for the Montreal Expos.

Pavano pitched a three-hitter for his first career complete game and Vladimir Guerrero went three for four as Montreal beat Tampa Bay, 4-0, Sunday, the Devil Rays’ eighth loss in nine games.

“We feel good for him,” Expo Manager Felipe Alou said of Pavano. “He’s getting to where he was last year, maybe even better, and getting more consistent.”

It was the second consecutive quality performance for Pavano, who entered the game with a 4-5 record and a 6.29 ERA. He was acquired in 1997 from Boston in a trade for Cy Young award winner Pedro Martinez.

Pavano (5-5) allowed a single to Randy Winn starting the game and didn’t allow another hit until Dave Martinez singled leading off the seventh. Mike DiFelice singled with one out in the eighth.

“It felt great,” Pavano said. “It was a great team win, the last win of the series to win the series, and now we’re going on the road for 11 days. It’s good to get some momentum going for the team.”

Pavano, who struck out six and walked three, pitched Montreal’s third complete game of the season as he won his third decision in a row. He was making his 36th career start.

The Expos, who won for the fifth time in six games, are 6-3 in interleague play this season, including 5-1 at Olympic Stadium.