Expos 9, Marlins 0

MIAMI -Livan Hernandez pitched a three-hitter and Brad Wilkerson and Nick Johnson homered to help the Montreal Expos spoil Josh Beckett’s third return from the disabled list with a 9-0 win over the Florida Marlins.

Beckett, who had been out since July 6 because of torn skin on his right middle finger, lasted only three-plus innings, allowing four runs on six hits, including Wilkerson’s two-run shot in the second.

Last season’s World Series MVP was making his third start since May 30. He’s been on the DL twice because of his finger problems and once because of a strained back muscle.

Hernandez dominated his former team for the second time in less than a week, helping the Expos to their fourth straight win against Florida, including a three-game home sweep July 23-25.

On Sunday, Hernandez, the 1997 World Series MVP, took a no-hitter into the seventh and wound up with 6-4 win.

It was the 37th complete game of Hernandez’s career and he’s had a major league-high 19 since the start of the 2002 season.

Hernandez went 3-for-4 at the plate with a two-run double in the eighth, and only allowed two hits by Jeff Conine and one to Damion Easley, all singles.

The Marlins, coming off a four-game sweep against the Phillies, appeared to be close to a trade that would add a hitter or two, possibly Paul Lo Duca or Juan Encarnacion from the Dodgers or Larry Walker from the Rockies. If the Marlins and Dodgers do make a trade, pitcher Brad Penny could get sent to Los Angeles.

First baseman Hee Seop Choi, originally in the lineup, was scratched 20 minutes before the game and replaced by Easley.

By the fifth inning and with the Expos up 6-0, every player in the lineup had a hit.

The Expos scored two runs in the first. Wilkerson led off with a walk and scored on Endy Chavez’s triple. Chavez scored on Johnson’s single to center.

Johnson hit a two-run homer in the fifth and had three RBIs.

Notes: Wilkerson has scored at least one run in his last 13 games that he has started, a team record. … Endy Chavez has hit safely in 12 of 13 games, with three triples in that span. … Conine extended his hitting streak to seven games. … In his last four starts, Beckett has not pitched more than four innings and has averaged 20.3 pitches per inning. … After losing three straight starts, Hernandez has won his last two, both against Florida. … Hernandez threw 109 pitches and lowered his ERA to 3.65.

AP-ES-07-30-04 2235EDT