Expos Drop First Game of League Play to Richmond in Ugly Fashion

EXPOS 5 Richmond 15 (6 innings)

What many had hoped to be a marquee matchup turned out to be an embarassing blowout for one team. The hometown Richmond Chuckers led by veteran skipper Alex Klenman came out ready to play in this one and took full advantage of an Expos squad who came out flat in every aspect of the game. Vancouver Minor was outpitched, outhit, outcoached and outeverythinged ... there was not much to cheer about in this one for the visiting team who dropped the contest 5-15 (mercy rule in effect) in 6 innings. Horino, who had been stellar on the mound coming into this game just didn't have his "stuff" today, as Richmond pounded out 14 hits and were up 12-0 after 4 innings. Vancouver showed signs of life in the 5th scoring 4 runs and managing to finally put balls in play and force the Chuckers to make plays, but it was too little too late as the Expos dropped their first game in league play. Lone bright spots in this one came from Howse and Hutchings, the former had a hit on the offense and a gutsy relief outing that showed heart and tenacity; the latter had three hits in three plate appearances. It was one to forget for the boys from East Vancouver, it doesn't get easier as a tough weekend lies ahead which features Abbotsford and Delta.