SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)—The last time Todd Zeile had visited Puerto Rico was 15 years ago—for a wedding. He returned Friday and had his own little party.
Zeile hit two home runs in the Montreal Expos’ 6-2 win over the Florida Marlins and became the first player in major league history to homer for 11 teams.
The third baseman thinks the achievement is a statistic more than a record.
“It’s an interesting sidenote to my career,” said Zeile, cut by the New York Yankees before Montreal signed him last month. “At least it beats the record of four errors in a game I had for a while.”
Zeile had his 12th multihomer game of his career and first since May 27, 2000, while with the New York Mets. He also helped drop Florida one game behind Philadelphia in the NL wild-card race.
“Zeile gave us the big lift with the two homers,” Expos manager Frank Robinson said. “It’s nice to get some late-inning offense.”
Montreal improved to 11-6 in Puerto Rico, where it plays 22 “home” games this season. The game, which drew 11,509, was delayed for 1 hour, 12 minutes in the bottom of the fourth because of a power outage at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.
“I thought, `Oh, oh, here we go again,”’ Robinson said.
Livan Hernandez (15-8) allowed one run and seven hits in eight innings. He struck out five.
“I felt very good after the blackout. I actually felt stronger,” Hernandez said.
Montreal reliever Rocky Biddle allowed a leadoff homer in the ninth to Derrek Lee and walked Miguel Cabrera. Luis Ayala replaced Biddle and closed it out.
Mark Redman (11-9) had allowed only one hit until the Expos scored four times in the sixth.
With two outs, Vladimir Guerrero walked and Wil Cordero singled. Zeile then hit a three-run shot. Joe Vitiello homered on the next pitch for a 4-1 lead.
Montreal added another run in the seventh on an RBI single by Jose Vidro off reliever Nate Bump. Zeile homered again in the eighth.
Florida scored its only run in the fourth on an RBI double by Miguel Cabrera.
Notes
The island’s electric authority spokesman, Ada Torres Toro, said there was some problem with the stadium’s electric system but didn’t elaborate. … Marlins manager Jack McKeon guided the Ponce Lions and San Juan Senators of Puerto Rico’s Winter League in 1972-79. … Montreal team president Tony Tavares said the Expos will not have any September callups, saying they are“substantially over budget.”
Federal Baseball