Expos Catch Break vs. Mets

There's a big difference between a five-time Gold Glove winner and a utility infielder.

Luis Lopez's error in the eighth inning allowed the go-ahead run to score and help the Montreal Expos snap a five-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over the New York Mets on Wednesday night.

"It was a two-hopper, an easy play," Lopez said. "I was playing it right there but I was too anxious and I should have taken my time."

Terry Jones opened the eighth inning with a single off Turk Wendell (2-1). After a sacrifice bunt, Manny Martinez hit a grounder to third that Lopez threw past first baseman John Olerud, allowing Jones to score the tiebreaking run.

It was just the 39th error for the Mets, who lead the majors in fielding.

Jones added an RBI double in the ninth to make it 3-1.

"I was happy that I played well," said Jones, who went 2-for-4. "I just tried to be patient up there. We haven't won a game since I was called up, and I was starting to think I was bringing us some bad luck."

Steve Kline (3-2) pitched 1 1-3 scoreless innings for the win. Ugueth Urbina got five outs for his 18th save.

"Eighteen saves for him deserves some respect," Expos manager Felipe Alou said. "Considering the way he's been used, he's done a really good job."

Urbina came on with one out and the bases loaded in the eighth. He struck out pinch-hitter Mike Piazza and got Rey Ordonez to fly out, then pitched a perfect ninth.

"It's a tough drive home if it's a 2-1 loss and Mike's still sitting there on the bench," Mets manager Bobby Valentine said. "I'll take my chances any day of the week."

Piazza, who will play in his seventh All-Star game next week, is hitting .225 (18-for-80) with runners in scoring position. Ordonez, who went 0-for-4, is 2-for-21 on the Mets current home stand.

Ventura, who won his fifth Gold Gloe last season with the White Sox, bruised his foot after being hit by a pitch from Montreal starter Dan Smith. Mets GM Steve Phillips said Ventura is day-to-day after X-rays taken during the game turned out negative.

"It hit a nerve near my big toe," Ventura said. "It hurt and it went numb."

In his third major league start, Mets rookie Octavio Dotel allowed just five hits and one run in seven innings against the Expos, who have scored seven runs in their last six games.

Smith allowed one run and three hits in five innings.

"It was exciting to come back here," said Smith, a rookie. "The last time I was here was to see Dwight Gooden break the rookie strikeout record in 1984, so it was a lot of fun to come back."

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