NEW YORK, April 13 (UPI) -- Eight days after being traded by Montreal to the New York Mets, Scott Strickland served up an 11th-inning home run Saturday to former teammate Vladimir Guerrero and the Expos posted a 9-8 victory over their National League East rivals.
The Mets committed five errors, including three by three-time Gold Glove-winning shortstop Rey Ordonez, yet erased a 7-0 deficit and took an 8-7 lead with a five-run seventh inning rally. Vance Wilson hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning and John Valentin highlighted the seventh inning uprising with a two-run single.
The Expos tied the game in the eighth when Peter Bergeron walked, advanced to third on a single by Mike Mordecai, his fourth hit of the game, and scored on a double play grounder by pinch-hitter Lee Stevens.
Guerrero then delivered the big blow in the 11th, driving the first pitch he saw from Strickland (0-1) over the left field wall.
Prior to the game, Strickland promised to be careful against Guerrero if he had the opportunity to face his former teammate, saying,"He's one guy you do not have to throw a strike to, that's for sure."
Yet Strickland, who was sent to the Mets in a six-player deal on April 5, threw a fastball high in the zone and Guerrero jumped all over it.
Matt Herges (2-0) pitched three scoreless innings to earn the win.
