Moss leads Braves to win over Expos

MONTREAL - Damian Moss singled and scored on Darren Bragg's RBI double as he combined with John Smoltz on a four-hitter to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 4-2 win over the Montreal Expos on Friday night.

Moss (9-5) allowed three hits through the first seven innings before allowing Michael Barrett's leadoff double in the eighth.

Barrett advanced to third on pinch hitter Matt Cepicky's grounder before Brad Wilkerson's RBI grounder broke up the shutout bid.

Smoltz pitched the ninth for his major league-leading 47th save.

The Braves arrived at Olympic Stadium less than two hours before game time because of travel problems. Atlanta remained in Pittsburgh overnight following Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Pirates before traveling here, awaiting the outcome of baseball's labor negotiations.

Vladimir Guerrero stole his 30th base for the Expos, giving hit his second straight 30-homer, 30-steal season. Guerrero already has 35 homers.

Moss singled off Tony Armas Jr. (8-12) leading off the fifth and advanced to second on Mark DeRosa's sacrifice before scoring on Bragg's double.

Bragg advanced to third on Chipper Jones' grounder and Andruw Jones walked, ending Armas' outing.

Reliever Britt Reames walked Matt Franco to load the bases and Bragg scored on catcher Michael Barrett's passed ball to make it 2-0.

The Braves, added two runs in the seventh on Franco's RBI single and right-hander Matt Herges' wild pitch.

Armas allowed two runs - one earned - and three hits in 4 2-3 innings in his second start since returning from the 15-day disabled list.

Wil Cordero hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth for the Expos.

NOTES: The Braves' bus arrived at Olympic Stadium at 5:30 p.m. After getting word that a possible strike had been averted, the team had its charter flight from Pittsburgh delayed two hours because of a tire problem and then a tail strike of the runway by the plane that took off ahead of them. The team was further delayed because of heavy traffic on its way to the stadium. ... Armas was on the disabled list from July 26-Aug. 19 because of a strained lower back.