Baines, O's Roll Over Expos

Harold Baines moved to the top of two significant career lists for designated hitters Friday night. His only concern, however, was the final score.

Baines went 4-for-5 with a homer and Mike Mussina got his 12th victory as the Baltimore Orioles won their fourth straight, 9-4 over the Montreal Expos.

The four hits were a season high for Baines, who led Baltimore's 17-hit attack with his 20th homer and a pair of RBIs. In 43 games since May 12, Baines is 59-for-147 (.401) with 39 RBIs.

"I don't worry about that. I'm into winning games, not personal stats," the soft-spoken slugger said. "We have won the first two games of the series and we want to win tomorrow. I am more about winning games."

He's certainly won his share for the Orioles.

"What can you say about Harold Baines? It seems like every time he does something, he passes someone," Baltimore manager Ray Miller said. "He's one of the smartest and shrewdest players in baseball. Just a quality hitter."

B.J. Surhoff and Mike Bordick had three hits apiece for the Orioles, who won the first two games of the three-game series by a combined 17-6 score. Surhoff had three RBIs and hit his 21st homer, one short of his career high.

Mussina (12-4) allowed four hits and struck out 10 in seven innings before leaving with a 9-1 lead. The right-hander, who is on a pace to win 20 games for the first time, is second in the AL in wins behind Boston's Pedro Martinez (15).

"I was throwing strikes, letting the defense work for us," Mussina said. "I've been throwing well, mixing it up, and the strikeouts are just happening. I don't know why."

Mike Mordecai had three hits and drove in a run for the Expos, who have lost four straight and nine of 14. Montreal starter Dan Smith (1-4) gave up four runs and eight hits in four innings.

"There's not much I can say to our guys," Expo manager Felipe Alou said. "It all depends on the age and the level of experience of the people you have. You have show patience with them."

The Orioles got a run in the second when Baines singled and scored on a squeeze bunt by Jerry Hairston Jr.

An RBI single by Baines made it 2-0 in the third, and Baltimore added two runs in the fourth when Surhoff singled after a two-out RBI triple by Bordick.

Mussina retired 10 straight before Brad Fullmer led off the fifth with a single, Shane Andrews walked and Mordecai hit a run-scoring single.

Baines led off the fifth by hitting Bobby Ayala's first pitch of the game over the left-field wall.

Baltimore made it 9-1 with a four-run sixth that featured six hits, including a two-run homer by Surhoff and an RBI double by Brady Anderson. The Expos scored three runs on four hits in the eighth off Scott Kamieniecki.

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