4/17/84: Darling pitches a dandy as the Mets punch out punchless Expos, 4-0

It was a "darling" effort from the Mets' rookie right-hander Ron Darling as he walked right through an Expos team that had nothing better to do than hit balls into gloves in a 4-0 shutout win at the home opener in Shea Stadium. 

Darling scattered 3 Expo hits, allowing only back-to-back singles by Gary Carter and Tim Wallach in the 4th and a lead-off double by opposing pitcher Bryn Smith in the 5th. Smith's double was followed by a 1-out error by Jose Oquendo with Bryan Little reaching and a walk by Tim Raines. Andre Dawson grounded into an 4-6-3 DP, ending the threat and any further Expo offense as Darling retired the side in order from the 6th to the 9th. Darling struck out 3 and walked 3. 

Darling got plenty of offensive support from his Met-mates via a 14-hit attack, which included solo homers from Keith Hernandez in the 1st and Darryl Strawberry in the 6th. Strawberry also doubled home George Foster with a run in the 1st and singled/stole 2nd. Hubie Brooks also collected 3 hits, including an RBI single scoring Strawberry in the 8th.

AUSTRALIAN FOR THIEF: George Foster added to the Expos misery in the 6th, robbing Gary Carter of a sure home run and Terry Francona of a potential double.

IN CASE ANYONE ASKED: Pete Rose was 0-3 with a walk.

NYM 4-14-2 MON 0-3-1 WP-Darling LP-Smith HR-Hernandez, Strawberry NYM 5-5 MON 5-6  

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