Atlanta Stretches Monumental Lead

National League

If the Atlanta Braves needed any more proof of how good they are, their series with the Expos provided it.

Atlanta, which always had trouble beating Montreal, took three of four games from the Expos, improving to 7-3 against them this year with three games remaining.

More important, the Braves’ 5-1 victory Monday stretched their N.L. East lead to 11-1/2 games over idle Philadelphia, the club’s biggest lead since moving to Atlanta in 1966.

“Historically, they’ve been a tough team for us to beat,” said Kent Mercker (6-6), who allowed seven hits, struck out three and walked two in 6 innings.

Only once in the last 12 seasons have the Expos had a losing series against the Braves.

Mets 5, Marlins 2

New York

Pinch-hitter Joe Orsulak hit his first home run of the year, a three-run shot in the seventh inning that gave New York a win over Florida.

Dave Mlicki (5-5) got the win after striking out a career-high 10 and walking one in seven innings.

Dodgers 3, Giants 1 (12)

San Francisco

Eric Karros hit a two-run homer in the 12th inning to give Los Angeles a split of its four-game series with San Francisco.

With one out in the 12th, Mike Piazza singled off Jose Bautista (2-6) and Karros followed with his 20th home run into the left-field bleachers.

Antonio Osuna (2-2) got four outs, striking out the side in the 11th, for the win.

Clearing the bases

Colorado’s Dante Bichette, who set a club record with five homers in five consecutive games, was selected the National League’s player of the week… . Montreal outfielder Moises Alou has gone 1 for 15 since returning to play after a family tragedy that saw his father-in-law and brother-in-law murdered during a holdup… . Florida acquired minor league left-hander Buddy Groom from Detroit in exchange for a player to be named later.