Guerrero Stages One-Man Show

Vladimir Guerrero knew exactly what he needed for “Le Carrousel.”

Guerrero homered in his last at-bat, completing the first cycle of his pro career and leading the Montreal Expos over the New York Mets, 7-3, Sunday.

“It was only one at-bat to go and I just went up there trying to swing hard and see what would happen, and it happened,” Guerrero said as third base coach Manny Acta translated.

Guerrero doubled against Tom Glavine (9-13) in the second inning, singled in the third and hit a run-scoring triple that put Montreal ahead for good in the fifth.

Facing Dan Wheeler in the seventh, Guerrero hit an 0-and-1 pitch over the right-field wall for a two-run homer.

“The closest I came was in [double-A] Harrisburg,” Guerrero said. “I was missing the double and I got a ball in the gap but just stopped at first.”

The scoreboard flashed “Le Carrousel” for the second time this season. Brad Wilkerson singled, doubled, tripled and homered in order against Pittsburgh on June 24.

It was the first time teammates have hit for the cycle in the same season in the majors since 1998, when Colorado’s Dante Bichette and Neifi Perez accomplished the feat.

After sitting out most of June and July because of a herniated disk, Guerrero hit his 24th homer in his 100th game this season.

“I’m kind of surprised because a lot of people were diagnosing me to come back in August and I was able ... to come back earlier and be able to put up the numbers I’ve put up so far,” Guerrero said.

He is the sixth Expo player to hit for the cycle.

“He’s some kind of strong player to hit the ball out the opposite way,” Met Manager Art Howe said. “It doesn’t matter what type of pitch, he can drive the ball in all directions. He’s a quality player.”