Expos: 11 Mets: 10 (April 8, 1969): The Montreal Expos won their first game in franchise history against the eventual World Champion Mets. Rusty Staub, pitcher Dan McGinn, and Coco Laboy homered in the victory. The Mets made it exciting with a four run 9th inning, but the Expos held on for the win. They finished 1969 with a 52-110 record.
Bill Stoneman throws first no-hitter (October 2, 1972): Bill Stoneman not only threw the first no-hitter in Expos history, but the first one outside of the United States. Stoneman’s control left him that day as he walked 7. However, he did strikeout 9 in the 7-0 victory.
Gary Carter’s 3 home run game (April 20, 1977): Hall of Famer Gary Carter was a one man show against the Pirates. He hit three homers and drove in 4 in an 8-6 loss to Pittsburgh. All three came off of starter Jim Rooker.
Ross Grimsley wins 20 (October 1, 1978): Ross Grimsley defeated the St Louis Cardinals 5-1 to win his 20th game of the 1978 season. Grimsley made the All-Star team and finished 7th in Cy Young balloting that season. He is the only pitcher to win 20 for the Expos/Nationals franchise.
Bill Gullickson strikesout 18 Cubs (September 10, 1980): By 1980, the Expos emerged as contenders in the NL East. They had a strong core of young players including pitcher Bill Gullickson. On September 10, Gullickson beat the Cubs 4-2 while striking out 18 batters. The Expos finished second to the World Champion Phillies that season. Gullickson enjoyed a successful major league career.
Expos advance to NLCS (October 11, 1981): The 1981 strike led to an extra playoff round in which first and second half division winners faced off for the right to play in the LCS. In the NL East, Montreal battled the World Champion Phillies for five games in the Divisional Series. Montreal won Game 5 behind Steve Rogers by a score of 3-0. It remains the only postseason series victory for the Expos/Nationals. Montreal lost the NLCS to the Dodgers.
Pete Rose gets 4000 hit (April 13, 1984): Only Pete Rose and Ty Cobb reached 4000 hits. Interestingly, Rose got his 4000th hit as a member of the Expos. He is best known for his days as a Red or Phillie. Montreal beat Philadelphia 5-1 that day. Rose did not remain an Expo for long. He soon took over as player/manager in Cincinnati.
Dennis Martinez perfect game (July 28, 1991): Dennis Martinez and his Dodger counterpart, Mike Morgan, hooked up on July 28, 1991. Morgan allowed no earned runs, but lost 2-0 because Martinez was perfect. El Presidente struck out 5 Dodgers and allowed no base runners.
Best Record in Baseball (1994): The 1994 Montreal Expos had the best record in baseball when the season ended. Unfortunately, the players and owners spat cancelled the postseason. As a result, the best team in franchise history did not get a chance to play for something. The team was subsequently broken up. Failed politicians and squabbling between the team and province of Quebec eventually led to the Expos moving to Washington D.C.
Pedro is perfect (June 3, 1995): Pedro Martinez was unhittable one June game in 1995. The Padres boasting a lineup that included Tony Gwynn could not get on base. However, the Expos could not score on Joey Hamilton either. Pedro took perfection into extra innings. With no one out, Bip Roberts breaks up the perfecto with a double. The Expos beat the Padres 1-0.
Bill Stoneman throws first no-hitter (October 2, 1972): Bill Stoneman not only threw the first no-hitter in Expos history, but the first one outside of the United States. Stoneman’s control left him that day as he walked 7. However, he did strikeout 9 in the 7-0 victory.
Gary Carter’s 3 home run game (April 20, 1977): Hall of Famer Gary Carter was a one man show against the Pirates. He hit three homers and drove in 4 in an 8-6 loss to Pittsburgh. All three came off of starter Jim Rooker.
Ross Grimsley wins 20 (October 1, 1978): Ross Grimsley defeated the St Louis Cardinals 5-1 to win his 20th game of the 1978 season. Grimsley made the All-Star team and finished 7th in Cy Young balloting that season. He is the only pitcher to win 20 for the Expos/Nationals franchise.
Bill Gullickson strikesout 18 Cubs (September 10, 1980): By 1980, the Expos emerged as contenders in the NL East. They had a strong core of young players including pitcher Bill Gullickson. On September 10, Gullickson beat the Cubs 4-2 while striking out 18 batters. The Expos finished second to the World Champion Phillies that season. Gullickson enjoyed a successful major league career.
Expos advance to NLCS (October 11, 1981): The 1981 strike led to an extra playoff round in which first and second half division winners faced off for the right to play in the LCS. In the NL East, Montreal battled the World Champion Phillies for five games in the Divisional Series. Montreal won Game 5 behind Steve Rogers by a score of 3-0. It remains the only postseason series victory for the Expos/Nationals. Montreal lost the NLCS to the Dodgers.
Pete Rose gets 4000 hit (April 13, 1984): Only Pete Rose and Ty Cobb reached 4000 hits. Interestingly, Rose got his 4000th hit as a member of the Expos. He is best known for his days as a Red or Phillie. Montreal beat Philadelphia 5-1 that day. Rose did not remain an Expo for long. He soon took over as player/manager in Cincinnati.
Dennis Martinez perfect game (July 28, 1991): Dennis Martinez and his Dodger counterpart, Mike Morgan, hooked up on July 28, 1991. Morgan allowed no earned runs, but lost 2-0 because Martinez was perfect. El Presidente struck out 5 Dodgers and allowed no base runners.
Best Record in Baseball (1994): The 1994 Montreal Expos had the best record in baseball when the season ended. Unfortunately, the players and owners spat cancelled the postseason. As a result, the best team in franchise history did not get a chance to play for something. The team was subsequently broken up. Failed politicians and squabbling between the team and province of Quebec eventually led to the Expos moving to Washington D.C.
Pedro is perfect (June 3, 1995): Pedro Martinez was unhittable one June game in 1995. The Padres boasting a lineup that included Tony Gwynn could not get on base. However, the Expos could not score on Joey Hamilton either. Pedro took perfection into extra innings. With no one out, Bip Roberts breaks up the perfecto with a double. The Expos beat the Padres 1-0.
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