With a solid five-hit, two-run performance in seven innings Wednesday (May 29) at Atlanta, Ohka has pitched at least seven innings in five of his last six starts -- four in a row. He has allowed four runs twice, two runs twice and one run twice in those six games but has won only twice.

"He kept us in the game one more time," manager Frank Robinson said. "He does that every time."

--LF/1B Troy O'Leary has had a multi-hit game the last four times he has been in the starting lineup.

--RF Vladimir Guerrero hit his 14th homer Wednesday (May 29) to end a 10-game homerless streak. Last year he had two 13-game homer droughts.

--Twice in eight days, 2B Jose Vidro drove in runs that caused Braves closer John Smoltz to be charged with a blown save.

--After pitching three solid innings in an emergency start Tuesday (May 28) at Atlanta, RHP Britt Reames said, "I'm ready to start again in five days."

Not so fast.

While manager Frank Robinson lauded Reames' effort, he didn't go so far as to say the 28-year-old, who was acquired from the Cardinals along with 3B Fernando Tatis in exchange for RHP Dustin Hermanson and LHP Steve Kline on Dec. 14, 2000, has won a spot in the rotation.

"Reames pitched the ball where he wanted," Robinson said. "Because he used his changeup regularly, his curve was much more effective. As a reliever he was relying solely on the fastball and curve.

"No, I didn't say he's earned another start. We'll see about that."

--Robinson has talked about wanting another bat, preferably right-handed. The team is carrying 12 pitchers. With three road series against A.L. clubs in June, the need for that extra bat will become even more important.

That's one reason each outing for pitchers has greater significance these days. One bad outing could be enough to warrant demotion to Triple-A, clearing roster space for the needed hitter.

--2B Jose Vidro's 21-game hitting streak -- the longest in the majors -- was snapped Tuesday (May 28), but the streak tied the second longest in team history. Current teammate Vladimir Guerrero had a 31-game streak in 1999 and Delino DeShields went 21 straight in 1993.

Vidro pointed out that he had a 21-game streak in '98 -- not in the majors, but one that the man being called 'hit master' these days says was a turning point in his career.

Vidro struggled badly during stints with the Expos in '97 and '98. He determined to concentrate on offense during Winter Ball in his native Puerto Rico.

--Before allowing season highs in hits (10) and walks (3) in 6.2 innings Sunday (May 26), RHP Javier Vazquez went 8 innings or more in seven of eight starts.

--Veteran free agent spring pickup Troy O'Leary has earned the cleanup spot by going six for his first 11 with runners in scoring position.

--After RHP Carl Pavano's weak outing Saturday (May 25), when he allowed five runs on five hits in three innings, the Expos appeared to be facing a rotation problem. On Sunday (May 26) Expos couldn't name their starters for the week.

Speculation ran the gamut from the possibility someone will be called up from the farm to the thought that the team has a trade in the works.

Manager Frank Robinson did squash suggestions that LHP Bruce Chen might be called on to make one of the starts in question. After a couple of excellent relief outings, Chen failed to impress in three starts.

--1B Andres Galarraga was activated Sunday (May 26) from the DL (back) and could start at Atlanta on Monday and Tuesday against lefties.

--RHP T.J. Tucker, 23, a career starter, is close to winning the closer job.

--After coming from behind with a four-run seventh inning Sunday (May 26), the Expos are 16-2 when they have an inning of four runs or better.

BY THE NUMBERS
20 -- 2B Jose Vidro's hitting streak, best in the majors this season.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"I told myself, 'Be calm. Just meet the ball.' " -- 2B Jose Vidro on his approach to a 10th-inning at-bat Saturday (May 25) when he hit the first grand slam of his career.

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